Dibble

Part of speech: verb, noun

Pronunciation: /ˈdɪb(ə)l/

Definitions

1. A pointed tool used by gardeners or farmers to create holes in the soil for planting seeds or seedlings ; to create holes in soil using a pointed tool for planting purposes
2. An implement designed to puncture earth for planting seeds or young plants ; the act of puncturing soil with such a tool to prepare for planting
3. A tool with a pointed end that helps form holes in dirt for planting ; the process of making planting holes by pressing the tool into the soil

Etymology: Gardeners have long pressed a pointed tool into soil to make a neat hole for a seed or seedling, and that tool is called a dibble. A common guess links the word to "dib," meaning to dab lightly, with the frequentative ending "-le" added to suggest repeated action. That explanation fails, because the word is attested earlier than "dib," so the verb cannot be its source. The word's own origin remains unclear.

Synonyms: plant, poke, indent