1) Shirt-like piece of armour made from linked metal chains or rings. It was very flexible, unlike the suit of armour, but was vulnerable to a sharp thrust, being best at deflecting a slashing sword. [< Lat. macula = mesh]
2 [mal]. A rent or other money payment or tax; e.g. rent for a farm. From this we have today 'blackmail', a 16c formation, referring to money which was extorted by way of protection. -
Cf. Malman
3) A trunk of the kind used by merchants in their travels; also a travelling bag. [< OldFr. malle = trunk]
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.