The sea-mans dictionary, or, An exposition and demonstration of all the parts and things belonging to a shippe together with an explanation of all the termes and phrases used in the practique of navigation / composed by Henry Manwaring ...

The Wake.

The Wake of a ship, is the smooth-water, which the ship doth make a-sterne-her, shewing the way that the ship hath gone in the sea; by this we give a judgement what way the ship doth make; for if the wake be right a-sterne, then we know she makes her way good, as she lookes, but if the wake be a point, two or more to Lee-ward, then the ship goes to Lee-ward of her course; when a ship doth stay a-weather her wake, that is, when she doth not fall to Lee-ward at her staying but doth it quickly, and then when she is tacked the wake is to Lee-ward, it is a signe she feeles her helme well, and is a nimble ship: In chaseing they say, we have got her wake, that is, we are got as far into the wind as she, and so goe right after her as she goes.