tiller

In a nautical context, this term refers to the physical arm connected to a rudder, providing the leverage needed to steer a vessel. It is a more direct and traditional steering mechanism than a wheel, common on smaller boats. In agriculture, the word describes both a biological process and a mechanical tool. When referring to plants, it describes the lateral shoots that increase the density of a crop. When referring to machinery, it denotes a motorized device used to churn and aerate soil, distinguishing it from a simple hand hoe or a large-scale tractor plow.