backoff — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The situation where an algorithm or process refrains from taking an action it would otherwise have taken.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   a backoff strategy to avoid collisions

2. The situation where an incoming wave passes from shallower water to a deeper area, making the wave less steep and potentially unsurfable.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The surfer is in the middle of a backoff. Paddle for unbroken waves butterfly-style, with both arms at the same time, instead of using the crawl stroke that got you out to where the waves are breaking.

   I fastened the board's leash to my ankle, jumped on and paddled past the backoff.