Douse

To lower or take in a sail, or in another context to extinguish a light or flame.

Dousing a sail means removing its driving effect and bringing it under control, often before harbour entry, a sail change or worsening conditions. The method differs for a mainsail, headsail and spinnaker and need not always be rapid.

A halyard, retrieval line, sheet and crew position may all be involved, so loaded lines and loose sailcloth require control. When used of a light or flame, “douse” describes putting it out and is a separate ordinary meaning rather than a sail-handling procedure.