*pawl*

n. (Shipbuilding) Same as Cross-spale. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ W. pawl a pole, a stake. Cf. Pole a stake. ] (Mach.) A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine, adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel. [ Written also paul, or pall. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Pawl bitt (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, to receive the strain of the pawls. --
Pawl rim or
Pawl ring (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off. [ 1913 Webster ]

To pawl the capstan. See under Capstan. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A splinter or fragment, as of wood or stone. See Spall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. AS. spātl, fr. sp&aemacr_;tan to spit; probably akin to spīwan, E. spew. Cf. Spew. ] Scattered or ejected spittle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. & t. [ imp. & p. p. Spawled p. pr. & vb. n. Spawling. ] [ Cf. AS. spātlian. ] To scatter spittle from the mouth; to spit, as saliva. [ 1913 Webster ]

Why must he sputter, spawl, and slaver it
In vain, against the people's favorite. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]