That part of the sea at a good distance from the shore, or where there is deep water and no need of a pilot; also, distance from the shore; as, the ship had ten miles offing; we saw a ship in the offing.
To seaward from the land. A ship is in the offing, that is, she is to seaward, at a distance from the land. She stands for the offing, that is, towards the sea.
That distance out from shore which permits the proper maneuvering of a vessel without danger of her taking the ground or of encountering other obstacles to her freedom of movement.