Brail (?), n. [OE. brayle furling
rope, OF. braiol a band placed around the breeches, fr.F.
braies, pl., breeches, fr.L. braca, bracae, breeches,
a Gallic word; cf. Arm. bragez. Cf. Breeches.]
1. (Falconry) A thong of soft leather to
bind up a hawk's wing.
2. pl. (Naut.) Ropes passing through
pulleys, and used to haul in or up the leeches, bottoms, or corners of
sails, preparatory to furling.
3. A stock at each end of a seine to keep it
stretched.
Brail, v. t. (Naut.) To haul up
by the brails; -- used with up; as, to brail up a
sail.