I. ˈbrā(ə)l noun
Etymology: 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
Date: 15th century
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
II. transitive verb
Date: 1625
1. : to take in (a sail) by the brails
2. : to hoist (fish) by means of a brail