I. əˈbaft, -aa(ə)-, -ai-, -ȧ- adverb
Etymology: a- (I) + baft
: toward or at the stern : aft , astern
ships with square sails sail fairly efficiently with the wind abaft — Elijah Baker
II. preposition
: to the rear of : behind
selection by a better-than-average jazz band, taped in a small room abaft the 52d Street night spot — J.M.Conly
specifically : toward the stern from
our deserter stood just abaft the foremast — Vincent McHugh