flag v
   1 To set vessel's pennant over a pile of seal 'pelts' on the ice.
   [1870] 1899 Nfld Law Reports 348 The seals ... killed by the plaintiffs crew, were reduced into possession by them by their afterwards sculping, cutting open, piling, flagging and executing all the rights of ownership over them. [1907] 1964 BLONDAHL (ed) 82 "The Master Watch": I see afar 'gainst the sinking sun, / The flagged-pans lift on the line. 1972 BROWN 59 The Old Man, leaning over the rail, yelled, 'Flag yer seals, me son, we're headin' west'ard.'
   2 Phr flag in: to quarantine.
   C 71-103 When diphtheria and scarlet fever were prevalent people were isolated from the public. A sign was nailed on the house and people kept their distance. The older people refer to quarantine as flagged in.
   flag off, ~ out: to decorate a sealing vessel with pennants at the start and (successful) conclusion of a voyage.
   1924 ENGLAND 243 A full ship an' ahl flagged out, that's my motto! ... Go get evveryt'ing with hair on it. Ibid 316 Flagged off. Decorated with flags.

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