Tail \Tail\, v. i. 1. (Arch.) To hold by the end; -- said of a timber when it rests upon a wall or other support; -- with in or into. 2. (Naut.) To swing with the stern in a certain direction; -- said of a vessel at anchor; as, this vessel tails down stream. {Tail on}. (Naut.) See {Tally on}, under {Tally}.