brail n Cp OED ~ sb¹ 1 pl 'small ropes fastened to the edges of sails to truss them up'; b 'rope attached to a fishing net for a similar purpose' (1883-).
   1 Device on ship for coiling twine (P 243-56).
   2 Rough, amateurish piece of sewing; cp BRAIL v.
   1972 MURRAY 108 A darn that was roughly and carelessly done was termed 'just a brail' and was the sign that the darner took no pride in her work.

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