pommel

pommel
    n 1: a handgrip that a gymnast uses when performing exercises on
         a pommel horse
    2: handgrip formed by the raised front part of a saddle [syn:
       {pommel}, {saddlebow}]
    3: an ornament in the shape of a ball on the hilt of a sword or
       dagger [syn: {knob}, {pommel}]
    v 1: strike, usually with the fist; "The pedestrians pummeled
         the demonstrators" [syn: {pummel}, {pommel}, {biff}]
    

Pommel \Pom"mel\, n. [OE. pomel, OF. pomel, F. pommeau, LL.
   pomellus, fr. L. pomum fruit, LL. also, an apple. See
   {Pome}.]
   A knob or ball; an object resembling a ball in form; as:
   (a) The knob on the hilt of a sword. --Macaulay.
   (b) The knob or protuberant part of a saddlebow.
   (c) The top (of the head). --Chaucer.
   (d) A knob forming the finial of a turret or pavilion.
       [1913 Webster]
    

Pommel \Pom"mel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pommeled}or {Pommelled};
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Pommeling} or {Pommelling}.]
   To beat soundly, as with the pommel of a sword, or with
   something knoblike; hence, to beat with the fists. [Written
   also {pummel}.]
   [1913 Webster]
    

66 Moby Thesaurus words for "pommel":
      bang, baste, bastinado, batter, beat, belabor, bellyband, belt,
      birch, buffet, cane, cinch, club, cowhide, cudgel, cut, drub,
      flagellate, flail, flap, flog, fustigate, girt, girth,
      give a whipping, give the stick, hammer, horn, horsewhip, jockey,
      knock, knout, lace, lambaste, larrup, lash, lay on, maul, paste,
      patter, pelt, pistol-whip, pound, pulverize, pummel, rap, rawhide,
      scourge, sledgehammer, smite, spank, stirrup, strap, stripe,
      surcingle, swinge, switch, thrash, thresh, thump, trounce,
      truncheon, wallop, whale, whip, whop