towel definition

A cloth used for wiping, especially one used for drying anything wet, as the person after a bath.

<botany> Towel gourd, the fruit of the cucurbitaceous plant Luffa aegyptiaca; also, the plant itself. The fruit is very fibrous, and, when separated from its rind and seeds, is used as a sponge or towel.

Synonyms: Egyptian bath sponge, and dishcloth.

Origin: OE.towaille, towail, F. Touaille, LL. Toacula, of Teutonic origin; cf. OHG. Dwahila, swahilla, G. Zwehle, fr. OHG. Dwahan to wash; akin to D. Dwaal a towel, AS. Thwean to wash, OS. Thwahan, Icel. Thva, Sw. Tva, Dan. Toe, Goth. Thwahan. Cf. Doily.