The Collaborative International Dictionary
Varvel \Var"vel\, n. [F. vervelle.] In falconry, one of the rings secured to the ends of the jesses. [Written also vervel.]
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"metal ring attached to the end of a hawk's jess and connecting it to the leash," 1530s, from Old French vervelle "falcon's leg fetter" (14c.), from Vulgar Latin derivation of Latin vertibulum "joint." Related: Varvels.
Wiktionary
n. (context falconry heraldiccharge English) A metal ring bearing the owner's name or coat of arms, attached to a hawk jess. Used for identifying birds.
Usage examples of "varvel".
On a neat row of nails there were Indian bells and swivels and silver varvels, each with Ector cut on.
Hob lay awake in agony all night, and sent off Cully with brand-new white leather jesses, silver varvels and silver bell.
This conversation had taken place in the mews, where Rhion had gone to help Tally doctor a sick goshawk and the boys had tagged along to see what trouble they could get into in the room where the varvels and jesses were stored and the lures repaired.
Her jesses were of red leather with little silver varvels whereon the crab of Witchland was engraved in small.
I heard him whispering to the bird as he clipped the leash to the silver varvels in her leather jesses.
They remarked on the intricate designs on her polished silver bell and varvels, and I warmed with pride, for it was my task to keep the little cuff rings untarnished, although the designs etched in them meant little to me, being letters in a language I could not read.
I walked across the wet grass to the house, and I heard him whispering to the bird as he clipped the leash to the silver varvels in her leather jesses.
On a neat row of nails there were Indian bells and swivels and silver varvels, each with Ector cut on.