ETYM Old Eng. ax, axe, AS. eax, aex, acas.
A cutting tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a long handle; generally used for cutting wood; SYN. axe.

ETYM Old Eng. axien and asken. Related to Ask.
1. To chop or split with an ax, as of wood; SYN. ax.
2. To terminate, as of a project or a program; SYN. axe.