The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.]
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   1. A streak or mark made on the skin by a rod or whip; a
      stripe; a wheal. See Wheal. --Holland.

   Syn: welt; weal; wheal.
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   2. A ridge or streak rising above the surface, as of cloth;
      hence, the texture of cloth.
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            Thou 'rt rougher far,
            And of a coarser wale, fuller of pride. --Beau. &
                                                  Fl.
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   3. (Carp.) A timber bolted to a row of piles to secure them
      together and in position. --Knight.
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   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.
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   Wale knot. (Naut.) See Wall knot, under 1st Wall.
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