The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Thole \Thole\, n. [Written also thowel, and thowl.] [OE.
   thol, AS. [thorn]ol; akin to D. dol, Icel. [thorn]ollr a fir
   tree, a young fir, a tree, a thole.]
   1. A wooden or metal pin, set in the gunwale of a boat, to
      serve as a fulcrum for the oar in rowing. --Longfellow.
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   2. The pin, or handle, of a scythe snath.
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   Thole pin. Same as Thole.
      [1913 Webster]