1. astern - Adjective
2. astern - Adverb
In or at the hinder part of a ship; toward the hinder part, or stern; backward; as, to go astern.
Behind a ship; in the rear.
Source: Webster's dictionaryLike watermen, who look astern while they row the boat ahead. Plutarch
The Nereids, swimming in from all directions, met them here, and Lady Thetis coming up astern laid her hand on the blade of the steering-oar to guide them through the Wandering Rocks. Apollonius of Rhodes
Chicago's buoy was a couple of hundred yards astern of Arizona, and I was saddened to look at her. Jack Adams
I steer my bark with hope in the head, leaving fear astern. Thomas Jefferson
stow the luggage aft Source: Internet
ships with square sails sail fairly efficiently with the wind abaft Source: Internet