I. ˈpe-səl, ˈpes-t ə l noun
Etymology: Middle English pestel, from Anglo-French, from Latin pistillum, from pinsere to pound, crush; akin to Greek ptissein to crush, Sanskrit pinaṣṭi he pounds
Date: 14th century
1. : a usually club-shaped implement for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar — see mortar illustration
2. : any of various devices for pounding, stamping, or pressing
II. verb
( pes·tled ; pes·tling ˈpe-s(ə-)liŋ, ˈpes-t ə l-iŋ)
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
archaic : to beat, pound, or pulverize with or as if with a pestle
intransitive verb
: to work with a pestle : use a pestle