polaski

See also: Polaski

English

Etymology

Named for a forester, Edward Pulaski, who designed the tool.

Noun

polaski (plural polaskis)

1. (firefighting) A fire fighting hand tool consisting of ax or adz head on a wooden handle, used to dig a fireline.
   • 2002, Kent J. Johnson, Garden Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby‎^[1]:

     A polaski is a cross between a pick, an^[sic] standard axe, and a broad axe. It is used to cut through buried roots.

   • 2011, Sid Marty, Leaning on the Wind: Under the Spell of the Great Chinook‎^[2], page 285:

     A shovel, a polaski (fire axe) and a gieke can for putting out campfires, disinfectant for cleaning outhouses and picnic tables.

   • 2013, Gary E. J. Kain, Selfie‎^[3]:

     It was equipped with two water tanks, a pump and one inch rubber hose, plus the normal shovels, polaskis, first aid equipment, and radios.