Definitions For Drail

Verb

{{en-verb}} (angling, obsolete) To trail; to draggle.

Noun

DRAIL (plural DRAILs) (angling) A hook with a lead shank. (angling) The piece of lead around the shank of such a hook. The iron bow of a plough from which the traces draw.

Etymology

From Middle English *drailen (attested as drailed), a variant of {{cog, enm, trailen, t=to hang loosely, drag along, drag away}}, from a merger of {{der, en, fro, trailer}}, traillier ("to trail") and {{inh, en, ang, trǣġlian}}, trǣġelian, t=to pluck, pull away. The alteration of trailen to drailen was probably due to influence from {{noncog, enm, dragan}}, drawen, t=to drag, draw.