Caul
Caul (kal) , noun
[Old English calle, kelle, prob. from French cale; compare Ir. calla a veil.]
1.
A covering of network for the head, worn by women; also, a net. — Spenser
2.
(Anatomy) The fold of membrane loaded with fat, which covers more or less of the intestines in mammals; the great omentum. See Omentum.
The caul serves for the warming of the lower belly.
3.
A part of the amnion, one of the membranes enveloping the fetus, which sometimes is round the head of a child at its birth; -- called also a veil.
It is deemed lucky to be with a caul or membrane over the face. This caul is esteemed an infallible preservative against drowning... According to Chrysostom, the midwives frequently sold it for magic uses.
I was born with a caul, which was advertised for sale, in the newspapers, at the low price of fifteen guineas.