topman

In nautical terms the difference between sail and topman

is that sail is a piece of fabric attached to a boat and arranged such that it causes the wind to drive the boat along. The sail may be attached to the boat via a combination of mast, spars and ropes while topman is the man stationed in the top on a sailing vessel, responsible for the setting of the sails.

As a verb sail

is to be impelled or driven forward by the action of wind upon sails, as a ship on water; to be impelled on a body of water by steam or other power.

As a symbol top

is tongan.

As a noun topman is

(nautical) the man stationed in the top on a sailing vessel, responsible for the setting of the sails.