To wind something backward or in reverse direction; in sailing, wind that blows from behind.
From 'back' plus 'wind' (Old English 'windan'). Has both mechanical and nautical applications, used since at least the 1600s.
Sailors understand something modern people forget—wind direction completely changes what direction you can sail, and a 'backwind' can actually help you make maneuvers that seem impossible to landlubbers.
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