I. ˈtrau̇(ə)l noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English trowell, truel, from Middle French truelle, from Late Latin truella, trulla vessel for liquids, mason's trowel, from Latin trulla small ladle, diminutive of trua ladle; akin to Old English thwiril stick for stirring, Old High German dwiril, Icelandic thyrill, Greek torynē stick for stirring, Old High German dweran to stir — more at turbid
: any of various hand tools or implements consisting of a flat or less commonly curved blade with a handle and used (as by bricklayers, plasterers, molders) to apply, spread, shape, and smooth loose or plastic material ; also : a scoop-shaped or flat-bladed gardening implement used especially for taking up and setting small plants
[s]trowel.jpg[/s] [
trowel: 1 gardener's, 2 plasterer's, 3 bricklayer's
]
II. transitive verb
( troweled or trowelled ; troweled or trowelled ; troweling or trowelling ; trowels )
: to smooth, dress, shape, mix, or apply with or as if with a trowel
• trow·el·er -lə(r) noun -s