to shake the sails

Shake \Shake\, v. t. [imp. {Shook}; p. p. {Shaken}, ({Shook},
   obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. {Shaking}.] [OE. shaken, schaken, AS.
   scacan, sceacan; akin to Icel. & Sw. skaka, OS. skakan, to
   depart, to flee. [root]161. Cf. {Shock}, v.]
   1. To cause to move with quick or violent vibrations; to move
      rapidly one way and the other; to make to tremble or
      shiver; to agitate.
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            As a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is
            shaken of a mighty wind.              --Rev. vi. 13.
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            Ascend my chariot; guide the rapid wheels
            That shake heaven's basis.            --Milton.
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   2. Fig.: To move from firmness; to weaken the stability of;
      to cause to waver; to impair the resolution of.
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            When his doctrines grew too strong to be shook by
            his enemies, they persecuted his reputation.
                                                  --Atterbury.
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            Thy equal fear that my firm faith and love
            Can by his fraud be shaken or seduced. --Milton.
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   3. (Mus.) To give a tremulous tone to; to trill; as, to shake
      a note in music.
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   4. To move or remove by agitating; to throw off by a jolting
      or vibrating motion; to rid one's self of; -- generally
      with an adverb, as off, out, etc.; as, to shake fruit down
      from a tree.
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            Shake off the golden slumber of repose. --Shak.
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            'Tis our fast intent
            To shake all cares and business from our age.
                                                  --Shak.
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            I could scarcely shake him out of my company.
                                                  --Bunyan.
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   {To shake a cask} (Naut.), to knock a cask to pieces and pack
      the staves.

   {To shake hands}, to perform the customary act of civility by
      clasping and moving hands, as an expression of greeting,
      farewell, good will, agreement, etc.

   {To shake out a reef} (Naut.), to untile the reef points and
      spread more canvas.

   {To shake the bells}. See under {Bell}.

   {To shake the sails} (Naut.), to luff up in the wind, causing
      the sails to shiver. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
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