Lewis & Short

tonsilla (tosilla), ae, f.

  1. I. A sharppointed pole which was stuck in the ground to fasten vessels to the shore, Pac. and Att. ap. Fest. p. 356 Müll. (Pac. Trag. Fragm. v. 218; Att. Trag. Fragm. v. 517 Rib.).
  2. II. In plur.: tonsillae, ārum, f., the tonsils in the throat, Cic. N. D. 2, 54, 135; Cels. 6, 10; 7, 12, 2; Plin. 11, 37, 66, § 175.