abaft

[uh-baft, uh-bahft] /əˈbæft, əˈbɑft/
preposition
1.
to the rear of; aft of:
the fife rail abaft the mainmast.
adverb
2.
in the direction of the stern; astern; aft.
Origin
1225-75; Middle English on baft, abaft, equivalent to a-1 and on on + baft, Old English bæftan contraction of be + æftan. See by, aft
Examples from the web for abaft
  • The deckhouse abaft the pilothouse contains the pantry and the main saloon.
  • abaft the pilothouse is a riveted steel tower, atop which sits one of the deck monitors.
  • It is essential that the bridge notify the chief scientists if the ship's course will result in winds abaft the beam.
  • The after bunkroom is located aft abaft the electrical panel.
  • The next level, reached by stairs running inside abaft the galley, covers only half the area of the deckhouse.
British Dictionary definitions for abaft

abaft

/əˈbɑːft/
adverb, adjective (postpositive)
1.
closer to the stern than to another place on a vessel: with the wind abaft
preposition
2.
behind; aft of: abaft the mast
Word Origin
C13: on baft; baft from Old English beæftan, from be by + æftan behind
Word Origin and History for abaft
adv.

"in or at the back part of a ship" (opposed to forward), 1590s, from Middle English on baft (Old English on bæftan) "backwards." The second component is itself a compound of be "by" (see by) and æftan "aft" (see aft). The word has been saved by the sailors (the stern being the "after" part of a vessel), the rest of the language having left it in Middle English.