I. ˈjāl noun
Etymology: Middle English jaiole, from Anglo-French gaiole, jaiole, from Late Latin caveola, diminutive of Latin cavea cage — more at cage
Date: 13th century
1. : a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody ; specifically : such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimes — compare prison
2. : confinement in a jail
sentenced to jail
II. transitive verb
Date: 1604
: to confine in or as if in a jail