astern

Etymology

From a- (“towards”) + stern (“rear part of a vessel”).

adv

1. Behind (a vessel); in the rear.
2. In the direction of the stern; backward (motion); to the rear.
3. (obsolete or rare) At or toward the rear of a vessel.

adj

1. Behind a vessel; having a bearing of 180 degrees from ahead.
   If one ship is following another, the first is astern of the second.
   When we first espied the Dutch fleet sailing towards us, our whole blue squadron was astern much farther from us, so that Prince Rupert thought it absolutely necessary to slacken sail that they might have time to join us. 1838, M. Guizot, edited by J. Stuart Wortley, Memoirs of George Monk, Duke of Albemarle, London: Richard Bentley, page 307
   Every yachtsman knows that if the ballast of a ship be too afore or too astern. 1872, Hunt's Yachting Magazine, volume 21, page 288
   The chief engineer's evidence of the S.S. Lennox was the best given; but, as will be seen, he asserted that from the orders he received the Lennox's course was more astern than ahead. 1883, Lieutenant J. Menteith Brebner, RETURN WRECKS AND CASUALTIES IN INDIAN WATERS, page 140
   but when near Cape Palmas the wind will perhaps be more astern 1883, Alexander George Findlay, A Sailing Directory for the Ethiopic Or South Atlantic Ocean
   The galley fire was lighted; coffee was boiled; the sun shone brightly, and the ship astern was coming up fast. 1901, W. Clark Russell, The Ship's Adventure, Westminster: Archibald Constable, page 304
   The steamer was more than ahead of us, just on our quarter as we say, and the light was more astern. 1966, Peter Padfield, The Titanic and the Californian, page 233