[? a. F. cale, thin piece of wood, stone, or the like, inserted under an object to level it or steady it: of uncertain origin; cf. L. cāla piece or billet of wood, and see Littré.] (See quot.)
1874. Knight, Dict. Mech., I. 506. Caul, a heated board used in laying down large veneers. Its heat keeps up the fluidity of the glue until all that is superfluous has been pressed out at the edges.
1881. Mechanic, § 596. 277. An instrument the shape of the curve … called a ‘caul.’
