Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pommel \Pom"mel\, n. [OE. pomel, OF. pomel, F. pommeau, LL.
   pomellus, fr. L. pomum fruit, LL. also, an apple. See
   {Pome}.]
   A knob or ball; an object resembling a ball in form; as:
   (a) The knob on the hilt of a sword. --Macaulay.
   (b) The knob or protuberant part of a saddlebow.
   (c) The top (of the head). --Chaucer.
   (d) A knob forming the finial of a turret or pavilion.

Pommel \Pom"mel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pommeled}or {Pommelled};
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Pommeling} or {Pommelling}.]
   To beat soundly, as with the pommel of a sword, or with
   something knoblike; hence, to beat with the fists. [Written
   also {pummel}.]

Source : WordNet®

pommel
     n 1: a handgrip that a gymnast uses when performing exercises on
          a pommel horse
     2: handgrip formed by the raised front part of a saddle [syn: {saddlebow}]
     3: an ornament in the shape of a ball on the hilt of a sword or
        dagger [syn: {knob}]
     v : strike, usually with the fist; "The pedestrians pummeled the
         demonstrators" [syn: {pummel}, {biff}]
     [also: {pommelling}, {pommelled}]