Robert E - backward and downwind (7)
I believe the answer is:
leeward
'downwind' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for leeward that I've seen before include "side of sailors" , "A welder (anag.)" , "Draw eel (anag.)" , "Quarter towards which the wind blows" , "place out of the wind" .)