abaft

 
Pronunciation: /əˈbɑːft/
Nautical

adverb

  • in or behind the stern of a ship: a line of clouds was spotted abaft by the starboard lookout

preposition

  • nearer the stern than; behind: the yacht has a shower just abaft the galley

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'backwards'): from a-2 (expressing motion) + archaic baft 'in the rear'