In sailing, a gunter is used for two main configurations of rig:

1. The gunter is defined as a wire that leads from one point near the end of a gaff to a point near the other end. A block travels along this wire, and a halyard is attached to this block. This allows the gaff to be raised to the vertical by a single halyard, though another halyard is required at the gaff jaws to control height.
2. The gunter is created by hoops or parrel beads which secure the gaff loosely to the mast in a vertical position. A halyard is bent to the gaff jaws to control height.

Günther or Gunther and variants, Günter or Gunter, are Germanic names derived from Gunthere, Gunthari, composed of "battle" (Old Norse gunnr) and heri, hari "army".