Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Howel · How·el · IPA n. v. t. 01 n. A tool used by coopers for smoothing and chamfering rheir work, especially the inside of casks. 1. A tool used by coopers for smoothing and chamfering rheir work, especially the inside of casks. 02 v. t. To smooth; to plane; as, to howel a cask. 1. To smooth; to plane; as, to howel a cask.