Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (UK Und.) anything that creates suspicions in a watcher/listener.

1865

Leaves from Diary of Celebrated Burglar 22/2: In his affliction Joe pretty well ‘let the cat out of the bag.’ So to save all further chance of a ‘bawl-out,’ I pretended to my fair partner that I had an errand in my bag, and off I made to Joe.

2. (US) a criticism, an accusation, a scolding.

1912		Van Loan ‘Sweeney to Sanguinetti to Schultz’ in Ten-Thousand-Dollar Arm 61: She sings up hier in dis box, unt ve git a bawl-owit!
1926		J. Black You Can’t Win (2000) 223: Red don’t see any use in givin’ himself a bawl-out by indentifyin’ any dead burglars.
1951		Green & Laurie Show Biz from Vaude to Video xix: The intent of the general bawl-out was psychological for morale.
1977		A. Ayckbourn Ten Times Table I ii: Gave them a terrific balling out this morning.