noun
any of several small hand tools for spreading, smoothing, scooping, etc.; specif.,
- a tool with a thin, flat, rectangular blade, used for smoothing plaster
- a tool with a thin, flat, pointed blade for applying and shaping mortar, as in bricklaying
- a tool with a pointed scoop for loosening soil, digging holes, etc. in a garden
Origin:
ME truel < MFr truelle < LL truella for L trulla, small ladle, scoop, trowel < trua, stirring spoon, ladle, prob. < IE base *twer-, to stir > turbid
transitive verb troweled or trowelled, troweling or trowelling
to spread, smooth, shape, dig, etc. with a trowel