gaffle
A lever used to bend a crossbow.
obsolete
A steel spur attached to a gamecock (sometimes used figuratively).
These birds, having been some time previous bereft of the weapons nature designed for their defence, are now fornished with gaffles, or artificial spurs, each of which is a polished steel blade , about three inches in length, half an inch wide at the base, curved slightly upwards, sharp at the point and on the upper edge, and firmly fastened to the leg by means of a clasp.
A portable fork of iron or wood in which the heavy musket formerly in use was rested that it might be accurately aimed and fired.
historical
a fork in an orienteering race.
Where it comes from
From Middle English gaffolle, a borrowing from Middle Dutch gaffel, gafel (“fork”), ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *gabulu (“fork”), related to Old English gafol, ġeafel (“fork”).
Adapted from the Wiktionary entry gaffle (CC BY-SA 4.0).