gaffle

noun

plural -s
obsolete
: a steel lever used to bend a crossbow

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gaffolle, from Middle Dutch gaffel, gafel fork; akin to Old English gafol, geafel fork, Old High German gabala, Old Saxon gafala fork, Old Irish gabul forked branch, fork, vulva

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Dictionary Entries Near gaffle

Cite this Entry

“Gaffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gaffle. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

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