Yes, pawns is a Scrabble word!

Verb

1. Leave as a guarantee in return for money

Noun

1. An article deposited as security

2. A person used by another to gain an end

3. (chess) the least powerful piece; moves only forward and captures only to the side; it can be promoted to a more powerful piece if it reaches the 8th rank

4. Borrowing and leaving an article as security for repayment of the loan