I. ˈga-vəl noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gafol; akin to Old English giefan to give
Date: before 12th century
: rent or tribute in medieval England
II. noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1835
: a mallet used (as by a presiding officer or auctioneer) for commanding attention or confirming an action (as a vote or sale)
III. transitive verb
( -eled or -elled ; -el·ing or gav·el·ling ˈgav-liŋ, ˈga-və-)
Date: 1925
: to bring or force by use of a gavel
gavel ed the audience to silence