n. & v.
n. 1 a spiked revolving disc at the end of a spur. 2 a circular piece of leather etc. with a hole in the centre inserted between a horse's skin and flesh to discharge an exudate.
v.tr. (rowelled, rowelling; US roweled, roweling) 1 urge with a rowel. 2 insert a rowel in.
[ ME f. OF roel(e) f. LL rotella dimin. of L rota wheel ]