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.].
A thong of soft leather to bind up a hawk's wing. [1913 Webster]
Ropes passing through pulleys, and used to haul in or up the leeches, bottoms, or corners of sails, preparatory to furling. [1913 Webster]
A stock at each end of a seine to keep it stretched. [1913 Webster]
brail, v. t.
To haul up by the brails; -- used with up; as, to brail up a sail. [1913 Webster]