—n.
1 a a piece of rough-surfaced absorbent cloth used for drying oneself or a thing after washing. b absorbent paper used for this. c a cloth used for drying plates, dishes, etc.; a tea towel.
2 Brit. = sanitary towel.
—v. (towelled, towelling; US toweled, toweling)
1 tr. (often refl.) wipe or dry with a towel.
2 intr. wipe or dry oneself with a towel.
3 tr. sl. thrash.
Phrases and idioms:
towel-horse (or -rail) a frame for hanging towels on.
Derivatives:
towelling n.
Etymology: ME f. OF toail(l)e f. Gmc
Useful english dictionary. 2012.