Stretch Meaning

(nautical) To sail by the wind under press of canvas.

Example:   I stretched the rubber band until it almost broke.‎
  The rubber band stretched almost to the breaking point.‎
Boyle
  The inner membrane […] because it would stretch and yield, remained unbroken.
  First, stretch the skin over the frame of the drum.‎
  I managed to stretch my coffee supply a few more days.‎
  To say crossing the street was brave is stretching the meaning of "brave" considerably.‎
1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, Mr. Pratt's Patients:
  Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path […]. It twisted and turned, […] and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn. And, back of the lawn, was a big, old-fashioned house, with piazzas stretching in front of it, and all blazing with lights.
  The beach stretches from Cresswell to Amble.‎
  Cats stretch with equal ease and agility beyond the point that breaks a man on the rack.‎
  I always stretch my muscles before exercising.‎
  His mustache stretched all the way to his sideburns.‎
2011 October 29, Neil Johnston, “Norwich 3-3 Blackburn”, BBC Sport:
  Yakubu took advantage of John Ruddy's error to put the visitors back in front, with Chris Samba's header stretching their advantage.
  a man apt to stretch in his report of facts
  The ship stretched to the eastward.
  (Can we find and add a quotation of Ham. Nav. Encyc to this entry?)