from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. A stay on which a storm-sail is set.
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Blue sea around it, and running up into its heart, so that the little boat slumbers like a baby in lap, while the tall ships are stripping naked to fight the hurricane outside, and storm-stay - sails banging and flying in ribbons.
Fortunately the barque well obeys her helm, and the young officers contrive to set storm-stay and trysail, thus helping to hold her steady.