'To edge away' definitions:

Definition of 'To edge away'

From: GCIDE

Edge \Edge\, v. i.
1. To move sideways; to move gradually; as, edge along this way. [1913 Webster]
2. To sail close to the wind. [1913 Webster]
I must edge up on a point of wind. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
To edge away or To edge off (Naut.), to increase the distance gradually from the shore, vessel, or other object.
To edge down (Naut.), to approach by slow degrees, as when a sailing vessel approaches an object in an oblique direction from the windward.
To edge in, to get in edgewise; to get in by degrees.
To edge in with, as with a coast or vessel (Naut.), to advance gradually, but not directly, toward it. [1913 Webster]