A nautical term meaning to shift or swing a fore-and-aft sail violently from one side of a boat to the other, similar to a jibe but more abrupt.
From Old English or Low German, possibly related to 'jibe' or 'gyp,' describing the sudden movement of a sail. Used in maritime terminology since at least the 17th century to describe a risky sailing maneuver.
Sailors fear the gype because it happens suddenly and can crack the boom or injure crew—it's the nautical equivalent of a whip cracking across the deck, and naval captains would shout warnings to avoid it!
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