propeller
n.a device with spinning blades that pushes a boat or airplane through the water or air.
n.a mechanical device consisting of a hub with radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical surface. It produces thrust by rotating in a fluid medium such as air or water.
“The boat's propeller started spinning as we left the dock.”
“The pilot checked the propeller for any cracks or damage before starting the engine for takeoff.”
“Advanced submarine designs often feature multi-bladed propellers engineered to minimize cavitation, thereby reducing the acoustic signature of the vessel during stealth operations.”
Commonly refers to the external propulsion component of ships or aircraft.
From propel + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.