Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
TOWEL
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English towaille, from Anglo-French tuaille, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German dwahila towel; akin to Old High German dwahan to wash
Date: 13th century
an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying,
II. verb (-eled or -elled; -eling or -elling)
Date: circa 1839
transitive verb to rub or dry (as the body) with a towel, intransitive verb to use a towel to dry oneself