Pawl has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
Noun
a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward
A pivoted catch designed to fall into a notch on a ratchet wheel so as to allow movement in only one direction (e.g. on a windlass or in a clock mechanism), or alternatively to move the wheel in one direction.
To stop with a pawl.