n. [ Cowl a vessel + staff. ] A staff or pole on which a vessel is supported between two persons. Suckling. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Bot.) A tuberous perennial (Arisarum vulgare) having a cowl-shaped maroon or violet-black spathe; -- found in the Mediterranean, Canaries, and Azores. Syn. -- friars' cowl, Arisarum vulgare. [ WordNet 1.5 ]