Shoal \Shoal\, v. t. To cause to become more shallow; to come to a more shallow part of; as, a ship shoals her water by advancing into that which is less deep. --Marryat.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Shoal \Shoal\, n. [AS. scolu, sceolu, a company, multitude, crowd, akin to OS. skola; probably originally, a division, and akin to Icel. skilja to part, divide. See Skill, and cf. School. of fishes.]

A great multitude assembled; a crowd; a throng; -- said especially of fish; as, a shoal of bass. ``Great shoals of people.'' --Bacon.

Beneath, a shoal of silver fishes glides. --Waller.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Shoal \Shoal\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shoaled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shoaling.]

To assemble in a multitude; to throng; as, the fishes shoaled about the place. --Chapman.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Shoal \Shoal\, a. [Cf. Shallow; or cf. G. scholle a clod, glebe, OHG. scollo, scolla, prob. akin to E. shoal a multitude.]

Having little depth; shallow; as, shoal water.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Shoal \Shoal\, n.

1. A place where the water of a sea, lake, river, pond, etc., is shallow; a shallow.

The depth of your pond should be six feet; and on the sides some shoals for the fish to lay their span. --Mortimer.

Wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory, And sounded all the depths and shoals of honor. --Shak.

2. A sandbank or bar which makes the water shoal.

The god himself with ready trident stands, And opes the deep, and spreads the moving sands, Then heaves them off the shoals. --Dryden.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Shoal \Shoal\, v. i. To become shallow; as, the color of the water shows where it shoals.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)