This is the 16163rd most frequent Polish word.
układał
"Układał" means "he/she/it was arranging/organizing/placing" in English.
Here, "układał" is used in the context of organizing or arranging objects in a particular order.
On układał książki na półce.
He was arranging books on the shelf.
In this sentence, "układał" refers to the act of putting together pieces of a puzzle into a complete picture.
Chłopiec układał puzzle na stole.
The boy was assembling puzzles on the table.
The word "układał" here signifies the process of composing or drafting written material.