Pawl \Pawl\, 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.]
Pawl bitt (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass,
to receive the strain of the pawls.
Pawl rim or ring (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring
surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the
pawls to catch in.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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