1. A hand weapon, and a tool, looking similar to an axe or a hatchet with a stone head, and later with an iron piece, which was used by the North American Indians: "One of the most interesting relics in Ingrid's inheritance was a tomahawk, which was found by her grandfather on one of his trips around Southern California."
2. Etymology: from Algonquian tamahaac, "what is used in cutting".

To strike, to wound, or to kill with a small, short-handled, ax-type of instrument: "Indians in North America, during their conflicts with each other and with the American pioneers, tried to tomahawk their enemies when they were in close combat."