drail

drail [dreyl]Angling. ExamplesWord Origin noun

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

verb (used without object)

2. to fish by trolling with a drail.

Origin of drail 1625–35; Americanism; special use of obsolete English, Middle English drail to drag along, apparently alteration of trail under influence of drag, draw, etc. Examples from the Web for drail Historical Examples of drail

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.

Nooks and Corners of the New England Coast

Samuel Adams Drake

British Dictionary definitions for drail drail noun

1. a weighted hook used in trolling

verb

2. (intr) to fish with a drail

Word Origin for drail C16: apparently from trail, influenced by draw