Wake

(wak.) [From A. S. wacian, to watch.] A vigil: the feast of the dedication of the church, formerly kept by watching all night.-(Naut.) The W. of a ship is the track it leaves in the water. By her W. the sailors are enabled to judge what way the ship makes. If the W.be right astern, they conclude she makes her way forwards; but if it be to leeward a point or two, then they conclude she falls to the leeward ofher course. When one ship, giving chase to another, is got as far into the wind, and sails directly after her, they say she has got into her wake. [s. 946]