n. & v.
n. 1 a a piece of rough-surfaced absorbent cloth used for drying oneself or a thing after washing. b absorbent paper used for this. c a cloth used for drying plates, dishes, etc.; a tea towel. 2 Brit. = sanitary towel.
v. (towelled, towelling; US toweled, toweling) 1 tr. (often refl.) wipe or dry with a towel. 2 intr. wipe or dry oneself with a towel. 3 tr. sl. thrash. towel-horse (or -rail) a frame for hanging towels on. towelling n.
[ ME f. OF toail(l)e f. Gmc ]