A small strong rope for tying a sail; = gasket, n. 1.

plural. Small ropes fastened to the edges of sails to truss them up before furling.

A tackle to ‘clew up’ the ‘courses’ or lower square-sails in furling; cf. clew-line, n.

furling-system; furling-line n. a line or cord used in furling sails.

A rope fastened to the foot-rope of a sail and passing in front of the canvas, so as to prevent it from ‘bellying’ when being furled.

A tackle connecting the clew of a sail to the upper yard or the mast, by which it is drawn up in furling; sometimes, but not generally, applied…

(See quots. 1769 1846.) Also attributive.

any of the brails attached to the peak of a sail.

Nautical. attributive, with the sense ‘of or relating to the throat of a sail or gaff’, as throat bolt, throat brail, throat cringle, throat downhaul…

(see quots.).