'Near the wind' definitions:

Definition of 'Near the wind'

From: GCIDE

Near \Near\ (n[=e]r), adv. [AS. ne['a]r, compar. of ne['a]h nigh. See Nigh.]
1. At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh. [1913 Webster]
My wife! my traitress! let her not come near me. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. Nearly; almost; well-nigh. "Near twenty years ago." --Shak. "Near a fortnight ago." --Addison. [1913 Webster]
Near about the yearly value of the land. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
3. Closely; intimately. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Far and near, at a distance and close by; throughout a whole region.
To come near to, to want but little of; to approximate to. "Such a sum he found would go near to ruin him." --Addison.
Near the wind (Naut.), close to the wind; closehauled. [1913 Webster]