Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Hatchet \Hatch"et\, n. [F. hachette, dim. of hache ?. See 1st
   {Hatch}, {Hash}.]
   1. A small ax with a short handle, to be used with one hand.

   2. Specifically, a tomahawk.

            Buried was the bloody hatchet.        --Longfellow.

Source : WordNet®

hatchet
     n 1: weapon consisting of a fighting ax; used by North American
          indians [syn: {tomahawk}]
     2: short ax used to chop wood