drogue

Short definition from Wiktionary

Noun

1. 1
   A floating object attached to the end of a harpoon line to slow a whale down and prevent it from diving.
2. 2
   A type of bag pulled behind a boat to stop it from broaching to.
3. 3
   A conical parachute used as a brake for some kinds of aircraft, or as a means of extracting and deploying a larger parachute, or to slow a rapidly-moving vehicle to a speed where it can safely deploy a larger parachute.
4. 4
   A conical basket or device used variously as a target for gunnery practice, and as a docking point for aerial refuelling.
5. 5
   A wind cone.

Verb

1. 1
   To harpoon or spear (a whale) with a weapon that has a drogue attached.
2. 2
   To use a drogue with.
3. 3
   To act as a drogue, slowing down and stabilizing a drifting object.
4. 4
   To transport small loads along the coastline to larger ports, where they can be added to the cargo of larger ships that make longer journeys.