Wale

n. [A-S. walu, a mark of stripes or blows, Goth. valus, a rod, staff, Icel. völr, a staff; Prov. Fr. gaule, N. Fr. gaule, a long pole.]

1. A streak or stripe; the mark of a rod or whip on animal flesh. “Struck his back and shoulders so that bloody wales arose.” Chapman.
2. A ridge or streak rising above the surface of cloth, &c.; hence, the texture of cloth.

Thou’rt rougher far, And of a coarser wale. Beau. & Fl.

3. (Naut.) One of the strong planks extending along a ship’s sides, throughout the whole length, at different heights, and serving to strengthen the decks and form the curves. They are distinguished into the main wale and the channel wale. Totten.
4. A wale-knot, or wall-knot.