n.
Pronunciation: ' dau ̇ (- ə )l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English dowle; akin to Old High German tubili plug, Late Greek typhos wedge
Date: 14th century
1 : a pin fitting into a hole in an abutting piece to prevent motion or slipping also : a round rod or stick used especially for cutting up into dowels
2 : a piece of wood driven into a wall so that other pieces can be nailed to it