'To ease a ship' definitions:

Definition of 'To ease a ship'

From: GCIDE

Ease \Ease\ ([=e]z), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Eased ([=e]zd); p. pr. & vb. n. Easing.] [OE. esen, eisen, OF. aisier. See Ease, n.]
1. To free from anything that pains, disquiets, or oppresses; to relieve from toil or care; to give rest, repose, or tranquillity to; -- often with of; as, to ease of pain; to ease the body or mind. [1913 Webster]
Eased [from] the putting off These troublesome disguises which we wear. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Sing, and I 'll ease thy shoulders of thy load. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
2. To render less painful or oppressive; to mitigate; to alleviate. [1913 Webster]
My couch shall ease my complaint. --Job vii. 13. [1913 Webster]
3. To release from pressure or restraint; to move gently; to lift slightly; to shift a little; as, to ease a bar or nut in machinery. [1913 Webster]
4. To entertain; to furnish with accommodations. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
To ease off, To ease away (Naut.), to slacken a rope gradually.
To ease a ship (Naut.), to put the helm hard, or regulate the sail, to prevent pitching when closehauled.
To ease the helm (Naut.), to put the helm more nearly amidships, to lessen the effect on the ship, or the strain on the wheel rope. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Syn: To relieve; disburden; quiet; calm; tranquilize; assuage; alleviate; allay; mitigate; appease; pacify. [1913 Webster]