Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AWL, n. [Sax. æl, an awl, and an eel; Ger. ahl, an awl, and aal, an eel; D. els, an awl; aal, an eel; Dan. aal, an eel; Ir. ail, a sting or prickle.]

An iron instrument for piercing small holes in leather, for sewing and stitching; used by shoemakers, saddlers, &c. The blade is either straight, or a little bent and flattened.