DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Cudg·el n.  A staff used in cudgel play, shorter than the quarterstaff, and wielded with one hand; hence, any heavy stick used as a weapon.
    He getteth him a grievous crabtree cudgel and . . . falls to rating of them as if they were dogs.   --Bunyan.
 Cudgel play, a fight or sportive contest with cudgels.
 To cross the cudgels, to forbear or give up the contest; -- a phrase borrowed from the practice of cudgel players, who lay one cudgel over another when the contest is ended.
 To take up cudgels for, to engage in a contest in behalf of (some one or something).