To decorate the edge of something (especially in heraldry) with a series of small curved notches or grooves, like scallops.
From Old French 'engreler' or related to 'graile,' possibly from 'grail' (a thin line). Used primarily in heraldic and decorative arts from the Middle Ages onward to describe ornamental edging.
Heraldic engrailing created a visual language of status—when a noble's coat of arms had an engrailed border instead of a plain one, it added complexity and prestige to their identity, sort of like how embossing makes modern logos look fancier.
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