Gaol
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
This word, now generally written "jail" is said to be derived from the Spanish jaula, a cage (derived from caula); in French, geole, gaol.
1 Man. «& G. 222, note (a).
A prison or building designated by law or used by the sheriff for the confinement or detention of those whose persons are judicially ordered to be kept in custody.
See 6 Johns. (N. Y.) 22; 14 Viner, Abr. 9; Bac. Abr.; Dane, Abr. Index; 4 Comyn, Dig. 619.
See "Jail." all prisoners, a patent, in the nature of a letter, is issued from the king to certain persons, appointing them his justices, and authorizing them to deliver his gaols.