trowel Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small hand tool with a handle and flat metal blade; used for scooping or spreading plaster or similar materials
  2. verb use a trowel on; for light garden work or plaster work

WordNet

Trow"el noun
Etymology
OE. truel, OF. truele, F. truelle, LL. truella, L. trulla, dim. of trua a ladle; probably akin to Gr. a stirrer, ladle, G. quirl a stirrer, MHG. twirel, OHG. dwiril, Icel. þvara, AS. þwiril. Cf. Twirl.
Definitions
  1. A mason's tool, used in spreading and dressing mortar, and breaking bricks to shape them.
  2. A gardener's tool, somewhat like a scoop, used in taking up plants, stirring the earth, etc.
  3. (Founding) A tool used for smoothing a mold.

Webster 1913