luffer noun2 •One who luffs (sails close to the wind) in order to threaten a windward opponent.So even if the luffer to leeward does react quickly enough in the stopping of his boat, he'll also have to start going bacckwards to prevent you breaking away and going for the mark ahead of him. — 1975 •A type of crane or derrick that was historically used in shipbuilding and repair.The Scotch luffer, or, more properly, the Scotchman, is, we were told, a great derrick whose introduction has thrown many men out of employment. — 1912 formsluffers
