IPA: //ˈkaʊlstæf//
KK: /ˈkaʊlˌstæf/
A long stick or pole that is carried by two people, with one person holding each end, used to support or carry a heavy load.
The workers used a cowlstaff to transport the large crate across the field.
The word 'cowlstaff' is formed from 'cowl' (from Old English 'cūl', meaning a hood or covering) and 'staff' (from Old English 'stæf', meaning a stick or rod). The term refers to a staff or rod that is associated with a cowl, often used in religious or ceremonial contexts.
Think of a 'cowl' as a hood or covering and a 'staff' as a stick or rod — together, they create a tool that combines these two elements, often used in ceremonies.
No commonly confused words.