a short, thick stick used as a weapon; club.

to strike with a cudgel; beat. ?

cudgel one's brains

to try to comprehend or remember

I cudgeled my brains to recall her name.

take up the cudgels

to come to the defense or aid of someone or something.

noun

bastinado , bat , billy , billyclub , birch , blackjack , bludgeon , cane , club , cosh , ferule , mace , nightstick , paddle , rod , sap , shill , shillelagh , spontoon , stick , switch , truncheon , baton , beat , drive , drub , staff , stave , weapon