The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Sheer \Sheer\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sheered; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Sheering.] [D. sheren to shear, cut, withdraw, warp. See
   Shear.]
   To decline or deviate from the line of the proper course; to
   turn aside; to swerve; as, a ship sheers from her course; a
   horse sheers at a bicycle.
   [1913 Webster]

   To sheer off, to turn or move aside to a distance; to move
      away.

   To sheer up, to approach obliquely.
      [1913 Webster]