Cudgel

n. [W. cogel, from cog, mass or lump, a short piece of wood. Cf. D. kuds, kudse, knods, club, Scot. cud, strong staff, cudgel.] A short, thick stick; a club.

Do not provoke the rage of stones And cudgels to thy hide and bones. Hudibras.

To cross the cudgels, to forbear the contest;—a phrase borrowed from the practice of cudgel-players, who lay one cudgel over another.