to edge away

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]