a pivoted curved bar or lever whose free end engages with the teeth of a cogwheel or ratchet so that the wheel or ratchet can only turn or move one way.
each of a set of short bars that engage with the whelps and prevent a capstan, windlass, or winch from recoiling.
Origin:
early 17th century: perhaps from Low German and Dutch pal (related to pal 'fixed')
