SAIL  , the

English equivalent of the common Teutonic word for one of the two universal means of propulsion of a vessel through the water, the other being the oar (q.v.) . For the various types of sail see RIGGING, and for the textile material used see SAILCLOTH below . The origin of the O . Eng. segl or segel and its cognates, e.g . Dutch zeil, Dan. seil, Ger . Segel, &c., is not known; it is certainly not connected with the Lat. sagulum, cloak, mantle . It may be derived from the Indo-European root sagh-, seen in Sanskrit salt, endure, the idea being of that which bears up against or resists the wind .