\Cudg"el\ (k?j"?l), n. [OE. kuggel; cf. G. keule club
(with a round end), kugel ball, or perh. W. cogyl cudgel, or
D. cudse, kuds, cudgel.]
A staff used in cudgel play, shorter than the quarterstaff,
and wielded with one hand; hence, any heavy stick used as a
weapon.
      He getteth him a grievous crabtree cudgel and . . .
      falls to rating of them as if they were dogs. --Bunyan.
{Cudgel play}, a fight or sportive contest with cudgels.
{To cross the cudgels}, to forbear or give up the contest; --
   a phrase borrowed from the practice of cudgel players, who
   lay one cudgel over another when the contest is ended.
{To take up cudgels for}, to engage in a contest in behalf of
   (some one or something).

\Cudg"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cudgeled} or {Cudgelled}
(-?ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Cudgeling} or {cudgelling}.]
To beat with a cudgel.
      An he here, I would cudgel him like a dog. --Shak.
{To cudgel one's brains}, to exercise one's wits.