Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HAIL, v.t. [from the same root as call, L. calo, Gr. καλεω. See Call and Heal.]

To call; to call to a person at a distance, to arrest his attention. It is properly used in any case where the person accosted is distant, but is appropriately used by seamen. Hoa or hoi, the ship ahoay, is the usual manner of hailing; to which the answer is holloa, or hollo. Then follow the usual questions, whence came ye? where are you bound? &c.