pawl

Meanings

Noun

• A pivoted catch designed to fall into a notch on a ratchet wheel so as to allow movement in only one direction (e.g. on a windlass or in a clock mechanism), or alternatively to move the wheel in one direction.
• A similar device to prevent motion in other mechanisms besides ratchets.

Verb

• To stop with a pawl.

Origin

• , perhaps from Low German or Dutch pal ("catch (mechanism)"), or from either French pal ("stake") or épaule.