[par-uh
l] 
| Nautical. a sliding ring or collar of rope, wood, or metal that confines a yard or the jaws of a gaff to the mast but allows vertical movement. |
| par·rel also par·ral (pār'əl) n. A sliding loop of rope or chain by which a running yard or gaff is connected to, while still being able to move vertically along, the mast. [Middle English perel, parrail, short for appareil, apparel, rigging; see apparel.] |