¦ noun a small pointed tool used for piercing holes.
Origin
OE ?l, of Gmc origin.
Awl
·noun A pointed instrument for piercing small holes, as in leather or wood; used by shoemakers, saddlers, cabinetmakers, ·etc. The blade is differently shaped and pointed for different uses, as in the brad awl, saddler's awl, shoemaker's awl, ·etc.