The DICT Development Group

  Trowel \Trow"el\, n. [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. [thorn]vara, AS. [thorn]wiril. Cf. Twirl.]
     1. A mason's tool, used in spreading and dressing mortar, and
        breaking bricks to shape them.
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     2. A gardener's tool, somewhat like a scoop, used in taking
        up plants, stirring the earth, etc.
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     3. (Founding) A tool used for smoothing a mold.
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     Trowel bayonet. See Spade bayonet, under Spade.
  
     Fish trowel. See Fish slice, under Fish.
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  trowel
      n 1: a small hand tool with a handle and flat metal blade; used
           for scooping or spreading plaster or similar materials
      v 1: use a trowel on; for light garden work or plaster work