piolet
/pjəʊˈleɪ
/noun Climbing
An ice pick.The term ‘ice-pick’ is currently used to mean both the mountaineer's axe or piolet and a kind of awl for chipping off bits of ice for drinking purposes....
- On the other hand, if you fall, drop your piolet aside from you to avoid injuries.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from French dialect, literally 'little pick', diminutive of piolo; related to pioche 'pickaxe'.