vail
v. C2 Proficiency US //ˈveɪɫ// UK //vˈeɪl// vail
v. to lower or take off your hat as a sign of respect. In old stories about ships, it also means to lower a sail or a flag to show honor to another ship.
v. to lower or remove a hat or other head covering as a gesture of submission or respect. In a nautical context, refers to the lowering of a sail or ensign as a sign of yielding or salutation.
The knight would vail his bonnet to the king.
The captain ordered the crew to vail the topsails as they approached the royal fleet's flagship.
In the presence of such overwhelming authority, the messenger felt compelled to vail his cap and bow low before delivering the scroll.
Usage
The verb is transitive and typically takes a head covering or a sail as its direct object.