Pawl n.  Mach. A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine, adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel. [Written also paul, or pall.]
 Pawl bitt Naut., a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, to receive the strain of the pawls.
 Pawl rim or Pawl ring Naut., a stationary metallic ring surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in.