Main Entry: ¹pun·cheon

Pronunciation: \ˈpən-chən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English ponson, punchon, from Anglo-French ponchon pointed tool, support, ultimately from Vulgar Latin *punctiare to prick, pierce, from Latin punctum, supine of pungere — more at pungent

Date: 14th century

1 : a pointed tool for piercing or for working on stone
2 a : a short upright framing timber b : a split log or heavy slab with the face smoothed