# back and fill

> English word · Verb

## Definitions
1. To manage a sailing ship so that the wind strikes them alternately in front and behind, in order to keep the ship in the middle of a river or channel while the current or tide carries the vessel against the wind.
2. To zigzag, or make a pivot turn by alternately putting the engine in reverse and forward, while turning the wheel or tiller.
3. To take opposite positions alternately; to flip-flop

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/back-and-fill