ETYM Old Eng. gaffe, French gaffe an iron hook with which seamen pull great fishes into their ships; cf. Irish gaf, gafa hook; perh. akin to German gabel fork, Skr. gabhasti. Related to Gaffle, Gable.
Spar on which head of fore-and-aft sail is extended.
(Homonym: gaffe).
1. A spar rising aft from a mast to support the head of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail.
2. An iron hook with a handle; used for landing large fish.

1. To strike or secure with a gaff
2. To fit (a gamecock) with a gaff