Definition of the word put about

The phrase "put about" is an old nautical term that originally referred to the action of maneuvering a ship by shifting its position relative to the wind. In sailing, the position of the ship in relation to the wind is crucial for efficiency and navigation. The crew would "put about" the ship by turning it around and sailing in a new direction to take advantage of the wind's current course. The phrase is thought to derive from the Middle English word "aboute," meaning "around" or "about," which was used in the late 1400s to describe the act of turning a ship. By the 1500s, the phrase "put about" had become common in nautical terminology, denoting the intentional maneuvering of a ship. Outside of the context of sailing, "put about" has come to mean moving around or changing direction for a particular purpose, as in "putting about for a sailboat race" or "putting about to find a new job." Its original meaning and use in nautical contexts, however, remain part of maritime history and culture.