1. to turn (a sailing ship) around by putting the helm hard alee and backing the sails, especially when the ship cannot come about in the normal way
Usage: nautical; third person singular present tense of 'boxhaul'

Examples

• The captain ordered the crew to boxhauls the vessel when the wind shifted unexpectedly.
• In heavy seas, the ship boxhauls to avoid being caught in irons.
• The experienced sailor boxhauls the schooner with practiced precision.
• When normal tacking becomes impossible, a skilled crew boxhauls the ship instead.