v. & n.
--v.tr.
1. beat and bruise.
2 handle roughly or carelessly.
3 damage by criticism.
--n.
1. Rugby Football a loose scrum with the ball off the ground.
2 a brawl.
3 a special heavy hammer, commonly of wood, esp. for driving piles.
Derivatives:
mauler n.
Etymology: ME f. OF mail f. L malleus hammer