The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Lee \Lee\, n. [OE. lee shelter, Icel. hl[=e], akin to AS.
   hle['o], hle['o]w, shelter, protection, OS. hl[`e]o, D. lij
   lee, Sw. l[aum], Dan. l[ae].]
   1. A sheltered place; esp., a place protected from the wind
      by some object; the side sheltered from the wind; shelter;
      protection; as, the lee of a mountain, an island, or a
      ship.
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            We lurked under lee.                  --Morte
                                                  d'Arthure.
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            Desiring me to take shelter in his lee. --Tyndall.
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   2. (Naut.) That part of the hemisphere, as one stands on
      shipboard, toward which the wind blows. See Lee, a.
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   By the lee, To bring by the lee. See under By, and
      Bring.

   Under the lee of, on that side which is sheltered from the
      wind; as, to be under the lee of a ship.
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