Correct spelling for the English word "clewed" is [klˈuːd], [klˈuːd], [k_l_ˈuː_d] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Clewed is a term that primarily finds its usage in boating and the field of sailing. It is a verb that refers to the action of securing a sail or a line by winding it into a neat coil or a clew. The term originates from the nautical jargon where a clew is one of the lower corners of a sail. When a sail is clewed, it means that the clew of the sail has been gathered and secured properly.
Clewing a sail involves carefully bringing the clew closer to the mast or the spars of a vessel and then neatly winding and securing it using a line, rope, or a clew-garnet. This process is usually done to control the amount of sail area exposed to the wind and to make the sail more manageable during different wind conditions.
Clewed is also occasionally used in a broader sense to describe the action of tidying up or organizing ropes, lines, or cables on a boat, especially when not in use. Often, this involves neatly arranging and securing the lines to prevent tangles and maintain a clear deck, ensuring ease of movement and accessibility during maneuvers or emergencies.
Overall, clewed is a term predominantly utilized in the boating and sailing world, pertaining to the act of securing and organizing sails or lines to enhance the efficiency and safety of a vessel while sailing.
Clew-lines, lines to truss up sails to the yards.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.