ˈtäpsəl ( usu naut ), -pˌsāl noun
also tops'l ˈtäpsəl
( -s )
Etymology: topsail from Middle English topseil, topsail, from top (I) + seil, sail sail; tops'l contraction of topsail — more at sail
1. : the sail next above the lowermost sail on a mast in a square-rigged ship ; also : one of two sails set one above the other next above the lowermost sail — see sail illustration, ship illustration
2. : the sail set above and sometimes on the gaff in a fore-and-aft rigged ship