Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SHEER, v.i. [See Shear, the sense of which is to separate.]

1. In seamen's language, to decline or deviate from the line of the proper course, as a ship when not steered with steadiness. – Mar. Dict.
2. To slip or move aside. To sheer off, to turn or move aside to a distance. To sheer up, to turn and approach to a place or ship.