Drogue

/droʊɡ/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A device used to slow down a vehicle or object by creating drag in water or air, often used in maritime or aeronautical contexts.
The sailing ship deployed a drogue to stabilize its position in the rough seas.
A type of parachute used to create drag for deceleration, particularly in aerospace applications.
The spacecraft released a drogue to help slow its descent before the main parachute deployed.
A type of apparatus used to measure ocean currents, typically dragged behind a boat.
Scientists attached a drogue to study the movement of the underwater currents.

Etymology

From Middle French 'drogue', related to 'droguer' meaning to drag or tow.

Common Phrases and Expressions

drogue parachute
A parachute designed to increase drag during descent.
drogue buoy
A buoy that is tethered to a drogue used in oceanography.
drogue rig
A system of drogues used for a specific application or purpose.

Related Words

drag
The resistance force experienced by an object moving through a fluid.
buoy
A floating device that marks a location or provides mooring.

Slang Meanings

A term used in the context of fishing gear.
They rigged the boat with a drogue to keep the nets stable.
In some contexts, referring to a device to slow down a vehicle.
They installed a drogue on the race car to reduce speed before corners.