Tack

As an object,
- A small sharp nail, such as one used to hook carpet in place.
- A rope used in sailing to change direction

As an action
- In sailing it means changing direction of the boat by tying the sail here and there, as needed.

Example
"I wished to reach you without loss of time, and I did what people will do in politics, or on the sea when the wind is against them, -- I tacked."
Johan de Witt to his brother Cornelius de Witt, in The Black Tulip by Dumas