Leeway

wiktionary

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lee(“side away from the wind”) +‎  way

etymonline

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leeway (n.)

also lee-way, 1660s, "sideways drift of a ship in her course caused by wind, deviation from true course by drifting to leeward," from lee + way (n.). Applied to loss of progress in general from 1827. Figurative meaning "extra space" is by 1835.