I. ˈshə-vəl noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English scofl; akin to Old High German scūfla shovel, Old English scūfan to thrust away
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a hand implement consisting of a broad scoop or a more or less hollowed out blade with a handle used to lift and throw material
b. : something that resembles a shovel
c. : an excavating machine ; especially : a hydraulic diesel-engine driven power shovel
2. : shovelful
II. verb
( -eled or -elled ; -el·ing or shov·el·ling ˈshə-və-liŋ, ˈshəv-liŋ)
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to take up and throw with a shovel
2. : to dig or clean out with a shovel
3. : to throw or convey roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel
shovel ed his food into his mouth
intransitive verb
: to use a shovel