Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (3)
1.
a sharp metal spike or spur that is fastened to the leg of a gamecock;
2.
a spar rising aft from a mast to support the head of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail;
3.
an iron hook with a handle;
used for landing large fish;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Gaff \Gaff\ (g[a^]f), n. [OE. gaffe, F. gaffe an iron hook with
which seamen pull great fishes into their ships; cf. Ir. gaf,
gafa hook; perh. akin to G. gabel fork, Skr. gabhasti. Cf.
Gaffle, Gable.]
1. A barbed spear or a hook with a handle, used by fishermen
in securing heavy fish.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Naut.) The spar upon which the upper edge of a
fore-and-aft sail is extended.
[1913 Webster]
3. Same as Gaffle, 1. --Wright.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Gaff \Gaff\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gaffed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Gaffing.]
To strike with a gaff or barbed spear; to secure by means of
a gaff; as, to gaff a salmon.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
gaff
n 1: a sharp metal spike or spur that is fastened to the leg of
a gamecock
2: a spar rising aft from a mast to support the head of a
quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail
3: an iron hook with a handle; used for landing large fish