Trail, n. 1. A track left by man or beast; a track followed by the hunter; a scent on the ground by the animal pursued; as, a deer trail.
They traveled in the bed of the brook, leaving no dangerous trail. Cooper.
How cheerfully on the false trail they cry! Shak.
2. A footpath or road track through a wilderness or wild region; as, an Indian trail over the plains.
3. Anything drawn out to a length; as, the trail of a meteor; a trail of smoke.
When lightning shoots in glittering trails along. Rowe.
4. Anything drawn behind in long undulations; a train. “A radiant trail of hair.” Pope.
5. Anything drawn along, as a vehicle.
6. A frame for trailing plants; a trellis.
7. The entrails of a fowl, especially of game, as the woodcock, and the like; — applied also, sometimes, to the entrails of sheep.
The woodcock is a favorite with epicures, and served with its trail in, is a delicious dish. Baird.
8. (Mil.) That part of the stock of a gun carriage which rests on the ground when the piece is unlimbered. See Illust. of Gun carriage, under Gun.
9. The act of taking advantage of the ignorance of a person; an imposition.
Trail boards(Shipbuilding), the carved boards on both sides of the cutwater near the figurehead. — Trail net, a net that is trailed or drawn behind a boat. Wright.