brail

Meanings

1. A small rope used to truss up sails.
2. A thong of soft leather to bind up a hawk's wing.
3. A stock at each end of a seine to keep it stretched.
4. A rope or line used to suspend lights or scenery in a certain position.
5. The feathers around a hawk's rump.

1. To reef, shorten or strike sail using brails.

Etymology

From Middle English brayle, from Old French braiel, from Medieval Latin bracale (“girdle”) (from bracae (“breeches”)).