pestle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈpɛs(ə)l/

noun

  • a heavy tool with a rounded end, used for crushing and grinding substances such as spices or drugs, typically in a mortar.
  • a mechanical device for grinding, pounding, or stamping something.

verb

[with object]
  • crush or grind with a pestle: she measured seeds into the mortar and pestled them to powder

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French pestel, from Latin pistillum, from pist- 'pounded', from the verb pinsere