noun
large hatchet; broad-bladed knife
A large, sturdy knife or hatchet used in woodcraft, hunting, and sometimes in idiomatic expressions for drastic measures (e.g., 大鉈を振るう).
猟師は大鉈で枝を切り払った。
The hunter cut away branches with a large hatchet.
会社は人員削減に大鉈を振るった。
The company took drastic measures to reduce staff.
A smaller, general-purpose hatchet or billhook; 大鉈 is a larger, heavier version.
Compound of 大 (large) and 鉈 (hatchet, billhook). The exact historical origin of 鉈 is uncertain.