Plural of caul; thin membranes, especially the membrane that sometimes covers a newborn's head at birth, or in cooking, the fatty membrane from a pig's abdomen.
From Middle English 'caule,' from Old French 'caoule,' possibly from Latin 'caula' (enclosure). In medical contexts, refers to the amniotic membrane; in culinary, to the omentum.
A baby born with a caul was historically considered lucky or even magical in European folklore—parents would save it as a protective charm, which is why it shows up in old wills and heirlooms!
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