Cowheel

/ˈkaʊwil/ noun

Definition

A large wooden wheel used in cattle pens or rural farm machinery, or possibly a cow's hoof shaped like a wheel; also may refer to a wheel-like piece of cattle equipment.

Etymology

Compound word from 'cow' plus 'wheel'. The exact historical referent is unclear but likely refers to either farm machinery or architectural elements of cattle enclosures.

Kelly Says

Cowheel is one of those words that's slipped partly out of use, making it hard to verify exactly what farmers meant by it—but it's a reminder that specialized farm vocabulary developed for tools most of us have never seen.

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