I. -ˈ(h)wēl noun
Date: 1930
: a clutch fitted in the rear hub of a bicycle that permits the rear wheel to run on free from the rear sprocket when the pedals are stopped
II. intransitive verb
Date: 1903
1. : to roll along freely independent of a gear
2. : to move, live, or play freely or irresponsibly
• free·wheel·er noun