thole \thole\, n. written also thowel, and thowl. oe.
   thol, as. thornol; akin to d. dol, icel. thornollr a fir
   tree, a young fir, a tree, a thole.
   1. a wooden or metal pin, set in the gunwale of a boat, to
      serve as a fulcrum for the oar in rowing. --longfellow.
      1913 webster

   2. the pin, or handle, of a scythe snath.
      1913 webster

   thole pin. same as thole.
      1913 webster
see also:
thowel thowl thole pin thole 

thowel \thow"el\, thowl \thowl\, n. see thole. naut.
   a a thole pin.
   b a rowlock.
       1913 webster

             i would sit impatiently thinking with what an
             unusual amount of noise the oars worked in the
             thowels.                             --dickens.
       1913 webster
see also:
thole