• (v. t.) To advance or gain upon; -- said of a vessel that gains upon another when sailing closehauled. • (v. i.) To shoot ahead, especially when going in stays.
Fore·reach' transitive verb (Nautical) To advance or gain upon; -- said of a vessel that gains upon another when sailing closehauled. 
to gain, as one ship on another. · to maintain headway, as when coming about or drifting after taking in sail or stopping engines.