from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Trowel \Trow"el\, n. [OE. truel, OF. truele, F. truelle, LL.
truella, L. trulla, dim. of trua a ladle; probably akin to
Gr. ? a stirrer, ladle, G. quirl a stirrer, MHG. twirel, OHG.
dwiril, Icel. [thorn]vara, AS. [thorn]wiril. Cf. {Twirl}.]
1. A mason's tool, used in spreading and dressing mortar, and
breaking bricks to shape them.
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2. A gardener's tool, somewhat like a scoop, used in taking
up plants, stirring the earth, etc.
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3. (Founding) A tool used for smoothing a mold.
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{Trowel bayonet}. See {Spade bayonet}, under {Spade}.
{Fish trowel}. See {Fish slice}, under {Fish}.
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