Also 4 flowe, 5 flw(e, 6 flewe. [cf. MDu. vluwe fishing-net (Du. flouw snipe-net), F. flu fine nappe d’un tramail (Boiste, 1840: not in Littré), also flucq some kind of fishing apparatus (16th c. in Godef.); the mutual relation of the words is unknown.] A kind of fishing-net; a. a drag-net, b. a fixed net. Also flue-net.
1388–9. Accts. Abingdon Abbey (Camden), 57. J rete vocatum wade et j flowe.
1391. R. de Ryllynton, in Test. Ebor., I. 157. Willo Broune servienti meo … j flew, cum warrap et flot.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 168/1. Flwe, nette … tragum.
1465. Mann. & Househ. Exp., 509. My master paid to Chelone fore knyttynge of a flew, xvj.d.
1569. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford, 329. Nor laye any flewe or other nett in any of the same waters befoare Saynt Lukes daye yerelye.
1611. Bible, Hab. i. 15. They … gather them in their dragge [marg. flue-net].
1630. in Binnell, Descr. Thames (1758), 66. No Fisherman, or other, shall at any Time of the Year use or exercise any Flue, Trammel, double-walled Net, or hooped Net whatsoever.
1787. Best, Angling (ed. 2), 5. Fishing with trammels or flews, in March or April.
1851. Newland, The Erne, 75. It is generally caught by a flue, set between the openings of the weeds, and occasionally by the sean, wherever there is a shady bay to haul it in.
1882. Lees & Clutterbuck, Three in Norway, vi. 44. Seven boats full of natives were out with a huge flue net, which they shot in a circle, and then beat the water enclosed till all the wretched fish were in the net.
