cowl Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun protective covering consisting of a metal part that covers the engine
    bonnet; cowling; hood.
    • there are powerful engines under the hoods of new cars
    • the mechanic removed the cowling in order to repair the plane's engine
  2. noun a loose hood or hooded robe (as worn by a monk)
  3. verb cover with or as with a cowl
    • cowl the boys and veil the girls

WordNet

Cowl noun
Etymology
AS> cuhle, cugle, cugele; cf. dial. G. kogel, gugel, OF. coule, goule; all fr. LL. cuculla, cucullus, fr. L. cucullus cap, hood; perh. akin to celare to conceal, cella cell. Cf. Cucullate.
Definitions
  1. A monk's hood; -- usually attached to the gown. The nname was also applied to the hood and garment together.
    What differ more, you cry, than crown and cowl? Pope.
  2. A cowl-shaped cap, commonly turning with the wind, used to improve the draft of a chimney, ventilatingshaft, etc.
  3. A wire cap for the smokestack of a locomotive.
Cowl noun
Etymology
Cf. OF. cuvele, cuvel, dim. of F. cuve tub, vat, fr. L. cupa. See Cup.
Definitions
  1. A vessel carried on a pole between two persons, for conveyance of water. Johnson.

Webster 1913