Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Wale \Wale\, n. [AS. walu a mark of stripes or blows, probably
   originally, a rod; akin to Icel. v["o]lr, Goth. walus a rod,
   staff. [root]146. Cf. {Goal}, {Weal} a wale.]
   1. A streak or mark made on the skin by a rod or whip; a
      stripe; a wheal. See {Wheal}. --Holland.

   2. A ridge or streak rising above the surface, as of cloth;
      hence, the texture of cloth.

            Thou 'rt rougher far, And of a coarser wale, fuller
            of pride.                             --Beau & Fl.

   3. (Carp.) A timber bolted to a row of piles to secure them
      together and in position. --Knight.

   4. (Naut.)
      (a) pl. Certain sets or strakes of the outside planking of
          a vessel; as, the main wales, or the strakes of
          planking under the port sills of the gun deck; channel
          wales, or those along the spar deck, etc.
      (b) A wale knot, or wall knot.

   {Wale knot}. (Naut.) See {Wall knot}, under 1st {Wall}.