/euh baft", euh bahft"/ , Naut.
prep.
1. to the rear of; aft of: the fife rail abaft the mainmast.
adv.
2. in the direction of the stern; astern; aft.
[ 1225-75; ME on baft, abaft, equiv. to A- 1 and on ON + baft, OE baeftan contr. of be + aeftan. See BY, AFT ]