trawl

Definition

A net or dragnet used for trawling.

Etymology

16th century, borrowed from Dutch tragelen (“to pull with a towline, trawl”), from Middle Dutch traghelen, from traghel (“dragnet”) (presumably from Latin tragula (“dragnet”)), and as such root-cognate with English drag and dray.

Example Sentences

• "I embarked on a trawl through my uncle's papers in search of his missing will."