sledge

A heavy, long handled maul or hammer used to drive stakes, wedges, etc.

[based on information from Major Hill, Master of the Silver Mills, in 1662, describing silver mining in Cardiganshire] They dig the Oar thus; One holds a little Picque, or Punch of Iron, having a long Handle of Wood which they call a Gad; Another with a great Iron Hammer, or Sledge, drives it into the Vein.

Sledge hammers are only used for heavy-duty persuading when working on vehicles or machinery.

To hit with a sledgehammer.

The rapid and violent exertion of smiths, mightily sledging the glowing iron masses of their furnaces.

When I inquired the reason of this wire being used in the construction of the safe, I was told it was to prevent the doors being broken by either sledging or wedging.

A low sled drawn by animals, typically on snow, ice or grass.

The sledge ran far better upon the ice; I cannot say the same for the dogs.

The sledges of the Esquimaux are of large size, varying from six and a half to nine and even eleven feet in length, and from eighteen inches to two feet in breadth.

any type of sled or sleigh.

Aged wore out Coal-Horses, which after some time Wrought you will have, may serve turn for Sledge-Horses.

Ty'd upon the Sledge, a Papist and a Protestant in front, being two very disparate and antipathetick Companions, was a very ridiculous Science of Cruelty, even worst than Death it self (says he).

A card game resembling all fours and seven-up; old sledge.