[gav.el] n [ME, fr. OE gafol; akin to OE giefan to give] (bef. 12c): rent or tribute in medieval England
[2]gavel n [origin unknown] (ca. 1859): a mallet used (as by a presiding officer or auctioneer) for commanding attention or confirming an action (as a vote or sale) [3]gavel vt -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling (1925): to bring or force by use of a gavel "~ed the audience to silence"