n. & v.
--n. a short thick stick used as a weapon.
--v.tr. (cudgelled, cudgelling; US cudgeled, cudgeling) beat with a cudgel.
Phrases and idioms:
cudgel one's brains think hard about a problem. take up the cudgels (often foll. by for) make a vigorous defence.
Etymology: OE cycgel, of unkn. orig.