Real Dictionary

maul
If someone is mauled, they are attacked aggressively, and often harmed in some way.
verb: If you are mauled by an animal, you are violently attacked by it and badly injured.

maul in American English
a very heavy hammer or mallet, often of wood, for driving stakes, wedges, etc.
to injure by beating or tearing; bruise or lacerate
noun: a heavy hammer, as for driving stakes or wedges
transitive verb: to handle or use roughly

maul in British English
to handle clumsily; paw
noun: a heavy two-handed hammer suitable for driving piles, wedges, etc