A maul is a type of heavy hammer used for various purposes, including splitting logs by driving a wedge into them. It can also refer to a tool like a sledgehammer with one wedge-shaped end that is used to split wood. In addition, maul can be used as a verb meaning to handle someone or something roughly or to physically attack and badly hurt a person or animal. Here are some examples of how the word maul is used:

• "A bear killed one hiker and badly mauled the other".
• "Tigers, lions, bears––animals with powerful paws and sharp claws, will maul... their victims".
• "He spent the night in the hospital after being caught by another players studs at the bottom of a maul".
• "To handle someone or something in a rough way".

Overall, a maul can refer to a type of hammer or a verb meaning to handle something roughly or to physically attack someone or something.