DCHP-1 Online
ral [? < Irish Gaelic raille] Nfld 
n. vagabond, trickster. See quotes.
- 1954 This [1816-17] became known as the "Winter of the Rals" (rowdies) when bands of half-starved men robbed the terrified people who had anything left to steal.
- 1955 ral [means] a disorderly fellow.
- 1965 The winter of 1817-18 was long remembered as the "Winter of the Rals," or the Rowdies.
- 1954 This [1816-17] became known as the "Winter of the Rals" (rowdies) when bands of half-starved men robbed the terrified people who had anything left to steal.