gavel
noun
[ ˈɡav(ə)l ]
• a small hammer with which an auctioneer, a judge, or the chair of a meeting hits a surface to call for attention or order.
gavel
verb
• bring (a hearing or person) to order by use of a gavel.
• "he gavelled the convention to order"
Origin:
early 19th century (originally US in the sense ‘stonemason's mallet’): of unknown origin.
