brail

A noun with two distinct meanings: a small net used to draw fish into a boat, or a small rope used to draw a sail in.

• 🇩🇪Substantiv mit zwei Bedeutungen: ein kleines Netz, mit dem Fische ins Boot gezogen werden, oder ein kurzes Seil zum Heranziehen eines Segels.

1. Fishing net C2 formal

   A small net used to draw fish into a boat.

   • The fisherman used a brail to scoop the catch from the water.
   • They lowered the brail over the side of the boat.
   • The brail was full of silver fish.

   🇩🇪Fischereinetz

2. Sailing rope C2 formal

   A small rope, one of several, used to draw a sail in or up.

   • The sailor pulled on the brail to furl the sail.
   • He checked the brail before the storm hit.
   • The brail was tangled around the mast.

   🇩🇪Brasse

An obsolete verb meaning to furl or reef a sail by hauling on the brails (small ropes).

• 🇩🇪Veralteter Begriff für das Einholen oder Reffen eines Segels mithilfe der Brassen (kurze Leinen); auch das Segel mit den Brassen dichtholen.

1. Furl a sail C2 formal

   To take in or gather a sail using brails (small ropes) for reefing or furling.

   • The sailors brailed the mainsail as the storm approached.
   • He brailed the sail to reduce the ship's speed.
   • They brailed the canvas quickly before the wind shifted.

   🇩🇪Ein Segel mit Geitauen bergen

   Antonyme: let outsetspreadunfurl

2. Haul fish aboard C2 formal

   To haul fish aboard a vessel using brails (a type of net or rope system).

   • The fishermen brailed the catch from the net into the boat.
   • They brailed the heavy load of mackerel onto the deck.
   • Using the winch, they brailed the fish aboard efficiently.

   🇩🇪Fisch an Bord hieven

   Synonyme: haullandnetscoop