Sailing to windward by sailing close hauled combined with one or more tacking maneuvers. Since tacking loses power, the best way to beat is with as few tacks as possible.

Beat"ing (?), n.

1.

The act of striking or giving blows; punishment or chastisement by blows.

2.

Pulsation; throbbing; as, the beating of the heart.

3. Acoustics & Mus.

Pulsative sounds. See Beat, n.

4. Naut.

The process of sailing against the wind by tacks in zigzag direction.

© Webster 1913.