from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Auger \Au"ger\, n. [OE. augoure, nauger, AS. nafeg[=a]r, fr.
nafu, nafa, nave of a wheel + g[=a]r spear, and therefore
meaning properly and originally a nave-bore. See {Nave} (of a
wheel) and 2d {Gore}, n.]
1. A carpenter's tool for boring holes larger than those
bored by a gimlet. It has a handle placed crosswise by
which it is turned with both hands. A pod auger is one
with a straight channel or groove, like the half of a bean
pod. A screw auger has a twisted blade, by the spiral
groove of which the chips are discharge.
[1913 Webster]
2. An instrument for boring or perforating soils or rocks,
for determining the quality of soils, or the nature of the
rocks or strata upon which they lie, and for obtaining
water.
[1913 Webster]
{Auger bit}, a bit with a cutting edge or blade like that of
an anger.
[1913 Webster]