brail

noun

1. A small rope used to truss up sails.
2. A thong of soft leather to bind up a hawk's wing.
3. A stock at each end of a seine to keep it stretched.
4. A rope or line used to suspend lights or scenery in a certain position.
5. (in-plural)The feathers around a hawk's rump.

verb

1. To reef, shorten or strike sail using brails.

   “The winds blew at their own caprice and there was brailing and loosing of canvas.”