GAFFING
Verb
gaffing
present participle of gaff
Noun
gaffing (plural gaffings)
The process of landing a fish with a gaff.
Source: Wiktionary
GAFF
Gaff, n. Etym: [OE. gaffe, F. gaffe an iron hook with which seamen
pull great fishes into their ships; cf. Ir. gaf, gafa hook; perh.
akin to G. gabel fork, Skr. gabhasti. CF. Gaffle, Gable.]
1. A barbed spear or a hook with a handle, used by fishermen in
securing heavy fish.
2. (Naut.)
Definition: The spar upon which the upper edge of a fore-and-aft sail is
extended.
3. Same as Gaffle, 1. Wright.
Gaff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gaffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Gaffing.]
Definition: To strike with a gaff or barbed spear; to secure by means of a
gaff; as, to gaff a salmon.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition