pestle n. + Add to list UK //pˈɛsəl// pes·tle Archaic SynonymsEtymology Synonyms mullerpounderstampOriginLATpistillum→OFRpestel→MEpestel→ENpestle From Middle English pestel, pestell, from Old French pestel, from Latin pistillum, from pīnsō (“pound, beat”). Doublet of pistil and pistillum.