'To clew down' definitions:

Definition of 'To clew down'

From: GCIDE
  • Clew \Clew\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clewed p. pr. & vb. n. Clewing.] [Cf. D. kluwenen. See Clew, n.]
  • 1. To direct; to guide, as by a thread. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • Direct and clew me out the way to happiness. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Naut.) To move of draw (a sail or yard) by means of the clew garnets, clew lines, etc.; esp. to draw up the clews of a square sail to the yard. [1913 Webster]
  • To clew down (Naut.), to force (a yard) down by hauling on the clew lines.
  • To clew up (Naut.), to draw (a sail) up to the yard, as for furling. [1913 Webster]