I. ˈmad.ək, -atək noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English mattok, from Old English mattuc, probably from (assumed) Vulgar Latin matteuca; akin to Latin mateola mallet — more at mace
: an implement that combines the features of an adz, ax, and pick and is used for digging, grubbing, and chopping
[s]mattock.jpg[/s]
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to dig or grub with a mattock — often used with up or out
mattocking out stumps