GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Pawl , n. [W. pawl a pole, a stake.  Cf. Pole a stake.] (Mach.) A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine, adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel. [Written also paul, or pall.]
   1913 Webster
   Pawl bitt (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, to receive the strain of the pawls. -- Pawl rim or Pawl ring (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in.
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

2.       
   Pawl, v. t. To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off.
   1913 Webster
   To pawl the capstan. See under Capstan.
   1913 Webster