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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | trailler 'to pull after you, tow', from Vulgar Latin tragulare, from Latin tragula 'sledge, net for pulling' |
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trail1
1 to pull something behind you, especially along the ground, or to be pulled in this way : 
A plane trailing a banner was circling overhead.
pull
[intransitive and transitive]A plane trailing a banner was circling overhead. trail something in/across/through etc something Rees was leaning out of the boat trailing his hand through the water.
Rees was leaning out of the boat trailing his hand through the water.2 to walk slowly, especially behind other people because you are tired or bored
walk slowly
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] trail behind/around Susie trailed along behind her parents. We spent the afternoon trailing around the shops.
Susie trailed along behind her parents.We spent the afternoon trailing around the shops.3 to be losing in a game, competition, or election : The Democratic candidate is still trailing in the opinion polls.
lose a competition
[intransitive,transitive usually in progressive]The Democratic candidate is still trailing in the opinion polls.4 to follow someone by looking for signs that they have gone in a particular direction : Police trailed the gang for several days.
follow somebody
[transitive]Police trailed the gang for several days.trail away/off
phrasal verbShe trailed off, silenced by the look Kris gave her.