[kuhj-uh
l] 
noun, verb, -eled, -el⋅ing, or (especially British) -elled, -el⋅ling.| 1. | a short, thick stick used as a weapon; club. |
| 2. | to strike with a cudgel; beat. |
| 3. | cudgel one's brains, to try to comprehend or remember: I cudgeled my brains to recall her name. |
| 4. | take up the cudgels, to come to the defense or aid of someone or something. |