An archaic or dialectal term meaning to beat, strike, or hammer, or to work metal; also related to 'beetle' as a tool.
From Old English 'bitel' or 'betel,' related to 'beat.' The word is connected to the beetle hammer (a wooden mallet), with etymology tracing back to Proto-Germanic roots meaning 'to beat or strike.'
Medieval blacksmiths used a tool called a 'bietle' or 'beetle'—a heavy hammer for pounding metal—which is why the insect got its name: early observers thought the insect's thick body resembled this blunt-headed tool.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.