The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Jail \Jail\ (j[=a]l), n. [OE. jaile, gail, gayhol, OF. gaole,
   gaiole, jaiole, F. ge[^o]le, LL. gabiola, dim. of gabia cage,
   for L. cavea cavity, cage. See Cage.]
   A kind of prison; a building for the confinement of persons
   held in lawful custody, especially for minor offenses or with
   reference to some future judicial proceeding. [Written also
   gaol.]
   [1913 Webster]

         This jail I count the house of liberty.  --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]

   Jail delivery, the release of prisoners from jail, either
      legally or by violence.

   Jail delivery commission. See under Gaol.

   Jail fever (Med.), typhus fever, or a disease resembling
      it, generated in jails and other places crowded with
      people; -- called also hospital fever, and ship fever.


   Jail liberties, or Jail limits, a space or district
      around a jail within which an imprisoned debtor was, on
      certain conditions, allowed to go at large. --Abbott.

   Jail lock, a peculiar form of padlock; -- called also
      Scandinavian lock.
      [1913 Webster]