Dowel Definition

Origin of Dowel

• From Middle English dule, of uncertain origin. Compare French douelle, douille, from Middle French douille, from Old French doelle (“the hollow part of a tool where the handle is fixed”), from Old Frankish *dulja (“hollow tube, pipe”), from Proto-Germanic *dulją (“pipe”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰel- (“curvature, hollow”). Alternate etymology derives Middle English dule, from Middle Low German dovel (“plug, tap”), related to German Döbel (“chub”).

  From Wiktionary

• Middle English doule part of a wheel perhaps from Middle Low German dovel plug or from Old French doele barrel stave () (diminutive of douve) (from Late Latin doga vessel) (from Greek dokhē receptacle) (from dekhesthai to take dek- in Indo-European roots)

  From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition