A fishing trawler with trawl nets. Photo by PHILIPPE SERRAND on Pexels.com

Definition

Noun

  • A fishing net, roughly conical in shape that is dragged near the bottom.

Verb

  • To fish with a trawl net.

Origin

Both probably earlier than the 14th century. From the Middle Dutch word, traghel, meaning a drag net.

Comments

There are various types of fishing nets, and a trawl is simply one kind. The mouth of the trawl can be held open by several means. A common method is by “otter boards,” which are large boards or metal plates on each side of the trawl opening, which are pushed outward by water pressure as the net is dragged through the water. Other methods exist, such as a single trawl where the net is held open by two trawlers, one on each warp.

References

Kemp, P. (1994). The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. Oxford University Press.

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.