\Pawl\, n. [W. pawl a pole, a stake. Cf. {Pole} a stake.]
(Mach.)
A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine,
adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on
another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to
permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse,
as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of
{Ratchet Wheel}. [Written also {paul}, or {pall}.]
{Pawl bitt} (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass,
   to receive the strain of the pawls.
{Pawl rim} or {ring} (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring
   surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the
   pawls to catch in.

\Pawl\, v. t.
To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off.
{To pawl the capstan}. See under {Capstan}.