Gouging Spell

"The Gouging Spell enables a witch or wizard to carve through earth and stone with ease. From budding Herbologists digging for Snargaluff seedlings to treasure-hunting curse breakers uncovering ancient wizard tombs, the Gouging Spell makes all manner of heavy labour a matter of pointing a wand."

- Miranda Goshawk, Book of Spells

The Gouging Spell (Defodio) is a charm used to gouge out portions of earth or stone.

Effects
It has practical applications, both in digging and in making passageways through solid rock. Careful use of this spell can dig out the required object and leave the environment relatively untouched.

Known uses

 * Harry, Ron, and Hermione used this spell to escape from Gringotts in 1998 on the back of a dragon.
 * It is possible that Harry later used the spell to carve "Here Lies Dobby, a Free Elf" into Dobby's grave earlier that year, though this has not been confirmed.

Etymology
Latin defodio, meaning "dig out".

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 * Wonderbook: Book of Spells

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