Pommel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pommeled or Pommelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Pommeling or Pommelling.]
To beat soundly, as with the pommel of a sword, or with something knoblike; hence, to beat with the fists. [Written also pummel.]
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Pommel, n.
A knob or ball; an object resembling a ball in form; as: (a) The knob on the hilt of a sword. Macaulay. (b) The knob or protuberant part of a saddlebow. (c) The top (of the head). Chaucer. (d) A knob forming the finial of a turret or pavilion.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for pommel; he lists it under beat.
Where he writes about it:
Others of the above words describe the manner of beating, as bastinado, to beat on the soles of the feet; belabor, to inflict a comprehensive and exhaustive beating; cudgel, to beat with a stick; thrash, as wheat was beaten out with the old hand-flail; to pound (akin to L. pondus, a weight) is to beat with a heavy, and pommel with a blunt, instrument. — from beat