society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > [noun] > as much sail as ship will carry (4)
= press of sail at sense 11b.
Nautical.press of sail: (on a vessel) a great weight or number of sails; as many sails as possible hoisted, to increase speed. Cf. pressing sail n.…
That presses physically; exerting or causing pressure.
Nautical. pressure of canvas = press of sail at press, n.1 11b.