pitchpole

English

Etymology

Pronunciation

(US) IPA^(key): /ˈpɪt͡ʃpoʊl/

Verb

pitchpole (third-person singular simple present pitchpoles, present participle pitchpoling, simple past and past participle pitchpoled)

(of a boat) To capsize end over end, as in heavy surf.
- 1977 February, Ben Kocivar, “How to get started in hot-rod sailing”, in Popular Science, volume 210, number 2, page 111:
  The advanced design of new cats makes pitchpoling less likely.
Pitchpoling is the most dangerous way a boat can capsize.

Pitchpoling occurs when the bow buries itself in the wave ahead while the wave behind lifts the aft section up and over.

Translations

capsize end over end

French: sancir (fr)