claw off vb (Nautical Terms) (adverb, usually tr) nautical to avoid the dangers of (a lee shore or other hazard) by beating Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014