rowel

American  

[rou-uhl] / ˈraʊ əl /

noun

1. a small wheel with radiating points, forming the extremity of a spur.

2. Veterinary Medicine. a piece of leather or the like inserted beneath the skin of a horse or other animal to promote drainage of an infection.

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verb (used with object)

roweled, roweling, rowelled, rowelling

1. to prick or urge with a rowel.

2. Veterinary Medicine. to insert a rowel in.

rowel British  

/ ˈraʊəl /

noun

1. a small spiked wheel attached to a spur

2. obsolete vet science a piece of leather or other material inserted under the skin of a horse to act as a seton and allow drainage

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verb

1. to goad (a horse) using a rowel

2. obsolete vet science to insert a rowel in (the skin of a horse) to allow drainage

Other Word Forms

• unroweled adjective

Etymology

Origin of rowel

1350–1400; Middle English rowelle < Middle French ruelle, Old French roel < Late Latin rotella, equivalent to Latin rot ( a ) wheel + -ella -elle

Example Sentences

Johnny took off his spurs and showed the silversmith a broken rowel.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

I should certainly prefer a spur with a rowel as "Southern Cross" recommends, but would it not be apt to tear the habit?

From Ladies on Horseback Learning, Park-Riding, and Hunting, with Hints upon Costume, and Numerous Anecdotes by Lambert, Nannie

Oh—nothin'," mumbled Brig, playing with the rowel on his spur as he watched the cattle graze; "only it seemed like, the way she spoke to you the other day, you'd mebbe met before.

From Bat Wing Bowles by Coolidge, Dane

His booted foot moved, but now rowel points flashed in the sun.

From Rebel Spurs by Norton, Andre

He has again mounted his horse, and the broken-hearted man, hardly less cruel than the expectant bridegroom, dashes the rowel in his side and disappears like a whirlwind.

From A Confederate Girl's Diary by Dawson, Sarah Morgan

Related Words

• coerce
• harass
• hound
• prod
• provoke
• tease