gavel

noun

1. A gable.

verb

Etymology: Origin obscure. Possibly an alteration of dialectal cavel, a variant of kevel (“a stone mason's axe with a flat face, a cleat or bollard”), from Middle English kevel (“a mason's hammer”), from Old Norse kefli (“a piece of wood, stick, cylinder, mangle”). Cognate with Norwegian kjevle (“rolling pin”).

1. To use a gavel.
2. To begin or end legal proceedings

   “The judge gavelled for order in the courtroom after the defendant burst out with a confession.”