drail

American  

[dreyl] / dreɪl /

noun

1. a hook with a lead-covered shank used in trolling.

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verb (used without object)

1. to fish by trolling with a drail.

drail British  

/ dreɪl /

noun

1. a weighted hook used in trolling

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verb

1. (intr) to fish with a drail

Etymology

Origin of drail

1625–35; special use of obsolete English, Middle English drail to drag along, apparently alteration of trail under influence of drag, draw, etc.

Example Sentences

A court ruling against the process would drail the EU strategy and its deterrent effect.

From The Wall Street Journal

Over this hook, called by the fishermen hereabouts a "drail," an eel-skin was drawn, though I have known the blue-fish to bite well at a simple piece of canvas or leather.

From Project Gutenberg

And he was as good as his threat: I saw the drail skipping on the top of the wave as my line came in empty.

From Project Gutenberg

Drail, drāl, n. the iron bow of a plough from which the traces draw: a piece of lead round the shank of the hook in fishing.—v.i. to draggle.

From Project Gutenberg

Use the Fish Flash with a downrigger for stripers, coupled with a drail for teasing pelagics, or to make a bubbling commotion on the surface.

From Time Magazine Archive