to drop astern

Astern \A*stern"\, adv. [Pref. a- + stern.] (Naut.)
   1. In or at the hinder part of a ship; toward the hinder
      part, or stern; backward; as, to go astern.
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   2. Behind a ship; in the rear. "A gale of wind right astern."
      --De Foe. "Left this strait astern." --Drake.
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   {To bake astern}, to go stern foremost.

   {To be astern of the reckoning}, to be behind the position
      given by the reckoning.

   {To drop astern}, to fall or be left behind.

   {To go astern}, to go backward, as from the action of
      currents or winds.
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Drop \Drop\, v. i.
   1. To fall in drops.
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            The kindly dew drops from the higher tree,
            And wets the little plants that lowly dwell.
                                                  --Spenser.
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   2. To fall, in general, literally or figuratively; as, ripe
      fruit drops from a tree; wise words drop from the lips.
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            Mutilations of which the meaning has dropped out of
            memory.                               --H. Spencer.
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            When the sound of dropping nuts is heard. --Bryant.
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   3. To let drops fall; to discharge itself in drops.
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            The heavens . . . dropped at the presence of God.
                                                  --Ps. lxviii.
                                                  8.
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   4. To fall dead, or to fall in death; as, dropping like
      flies.
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            Nothing, says Seneca, so soon reconciles us to the
            thoughts of our own death, as the prospect of one
            friend after another dropping round us. --Digby.
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   5. To come to an end; to cease; to pass out of mind; as, the
      affair dropped. --Pope.
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   6. To come unexpectedly; -- with in or into; as, my old
      friend dropped in a moment. --Steele.
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            Takes care to drop in when he thinks you are just
            seated.                               --Spectator.
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   7. To fall or be depressed; to lower; as, the point of the
      spear dropped a little.
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   8. To fall short of a mark. [R.]
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            Often it drops or overshoots by the disproportion of
            distance.                             --Collier.
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   9. To be deep in extent; to descend perpendicularly; as, her
      main topsail drops seventeen yards.
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   {To drop astern} (Naut.), to go astern of another vessel; to
      be left behind; to slacken the speed of a vessel so as to
      fall behind and to let another pass a head.

   {To drop down} (Naut.), to sail, row, or move down a river,
      or toward the sea.

   {To drop off}, to fall asleep gently; also, to die. [Colloq.]
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