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brail

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noun \ ˈbrāl \

Definition of brail

1 :a rope fastened to the leech of a sail and used for hauling the sail up or in
2 :a dip net with which fish are hauled aboard a boat from a purse seine or trap

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Origin and Etymology of brail

Middle English brayle, from Anglo-French braiel belt, strap, brail, alteration of Old French braiuel belt, probably ultimately from Latin braca pants — more at breech

2

brail

verb

Definition of brail

transitive verb
1 :to take in (a sail) by the brails
2 :to hoist (fish) by means of a brail

First Known Use of brail

1625

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