n. & v.
n. 1 a knob, esp. at the end of a sword-hilt. 2 the upward projecting front part of a saddle.
v.tr. (pommelled, pommelling; US pommeled, pommeling) = PUMMEL. pommel horse a vaulting horse fitted with a pair of curved handgrips .
[ ME f. OF pomel f. Rmc pomellum (unrecorded), dimin. of L pomum fruit, apple ]