sheer \sheer\, v. i. imp.  p. p. sheered; p. pr.  vb. n.
   sheering. d. sheren to shear, cut, withdraw, warp. see
   shear.
   to decline or deviate from the line of the proper course; to
   turn aside; to swerve; as, a ship sheers from her course; a
   horse sheers at a bicycle.
   1913 webster

   to sheer off, to turn or move aside to a distance; to move
      away.

   to sheer up, to approach obliquely.
      1913 webster
see also:
sheered sheering shear to sheer off to sheer up