trowel

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtraʊəl/

noun

  • 1a small handheld tool with a flat, pointed blade, used to apply and spread mortar or plaster: a pointing trowel
  • 2a small handheld tool with a curved scoop for lifting plants or earth: a garden trowel

verb (trowels, trowelling, trowelled; US trowels, troweling, troweled)

[with object]
  • apply or spread with or as if with a trowel: trowel in enough soil to form a dome Kerrie trowelled jam on to her toast

Origin:

Middle English (as a noun): from Old French truele, from medieval Latin truella, alteration of Latin trulla 'scoop', diminutive of trua 'skimmer'