Dowel Joint
From DT Online
Dowel Joints can be used to reinforce Butt Joints in any jointing configuration (e.g. Edge Joints, Angle and Tee Joints). Very accurate marking out and positioning of the Dowels is required if the joint is to work and several methods, templates and special tools have been devised to achieve this.
Initially, a Dowel Joint provided a simpler and quicker alternative to a Mortise and Tenon Joint but the more recently developed Biscuit Joint is now often preferred because they require less marking out and the joint is more forgiving in that, on initial assembly the Biscuit is quite a loose fit before it swells to size with the wet glue.