testudo

noun

tes·​tu·​do te-ˈstü-(ˌ)dō 

-ˈtyü-

plural testudos

: a cover of overlapping shields or a shed wheeled up to a wall used by the ancient Romans to protect an attacking force

Word History

Etymology

Latin testudin-, testudo, literally, tortoise, tortoise shell; akin to Latin testa shell

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above