trowel

Meanings

1. A mason’s tool, used in spreading and dressing mortar, and breaking bricks to shape them.
2. A gardener’s tool, shaped like a scoop, used in taking up plants, stirring soil etc.
3. A tool used for smoothing a mold.

1. To apply (a substance) with a trowel.
2. To pass over with a trowel.
3. To apply something heavily or unsubtly.

Etymology

From Middle English trowell, trouel, truel, from Middle French truelle, from Late Latin truella, from Classical Latin trulla, the diminutive of trua (“ladle”). Doublet of trullo.