Twists off course, as a ship

Answer:

YAWS

Hint:

Think of how a vessel might sway unpredictably in rough seas, especially when it drifts side to side off its intended heading.

Explanation:

"Yaws" is a nautical term for when a ship veers unpredictably off its straight path, often due to wind or waves. The clue plays on the idea of something "twisting off course," which directly describes this erratic movement. It’s not about turning sharply (like "yaw" in aviation) but more of an uncontrolled drift, making it a perfect fit for the answer.

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Reasoned conclusion

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Bulldog fan in Connecticut

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Small inlet

General solving tip

Markers like 'var.' or 'alt. sp.' mean a variant spelling. Consider alternate forms (GRAY/GREY, EON/AEON) that fit the grid.

More tips → General Hints