Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Clew \Clew\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. & vb. n. {Clewing}.] [Cf. D.
   kluwenen. See {Clew}, n.]
   1. To direct; to guide, as by a thread. [Obs.]

            Direct and clew me out the way to happiness. --Beau.
                                                  && Fl.

   2. (Naut.) To move of draw (a sail or yard) by means of the
      clew garnets, clew lines, etc.; esp. to draw up the clews
      of a square sail to the yard.

   {To clew down} (Naut.), to force (a yard) down by hauling on
      the clew lines.

   {To clew up} (Naut.), to draw (a sail) up to the yard, as for
      furling.