Nautical, on or toward the lee side of a ship or boat, that is, the sheltered side, on which the wind does not strike; away from the wind: opposed to aweather (which see).
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
adverb.
On or toward the lee, or the side away from the wind; the opposite of aweather. The helm of a ship is alee when pressed close to the lee side.