dowel

English

/ˈdaʊəl/

noun
Definitions
  • A pin, or block, of wood or metal, fitting into holes in the abutting portions of two pieces, and being partly in one piece and partly in the other, to keep them in their proper relative position.
  • A wooden rod, as one to make short pins from.
  • (construction) A piece of wood or similar material fitted into a surface not suitable for fastening so that other pieces may be fastened to it.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English dule derived from Old French doelle (the hollow part of a tool where the handle is) derived from Frankish *dulja (hollow tube, pipe) derived from Proto-Germanic *dulją (pipe) derived from Proto-Indo-European *dʰel- (curvature, hollow, vaulting, cavity, curve, tremble, an arch) derived from Middle Low German dövel (peg, plug) derived from Proto-Germanic *dubilaz.

Origin

Proto-Germanic

*dubilaz

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms