What term describes the direction towards which a current flows?

The term that describes the direction in which a current flows is "set." In nautical terms, "set" refers specifically to the direction of the water current relative to the earth, defining how and where the water moves. This is important for navigation, as it helps mariners understand how currents affect the course and speed of their vessels.

Understanding the set of a current allows the Officer of the Deck to make informed decisions for maintaining the desired course and to adjust plans accordingly to compensate for drift or other factors that could affect navigation. The concepts of drift (which usually pertains to the movement of a vessel due to the influence of wind or current), advance (which often relates to the distance a vessel moves in a forward direction), and transfer (which indicates a lateral movement of a ship) are separate from the definition of set, and so they do not accurately describe the current flow direction.