harquebus

noun

har·​que·​bus ˈhär-kwi-(ˌ)bəs 

-kə-bəs

variants or arquebus

ˈär-kwi-(ˌ)bəs 

-kə-bəs

: a matchlock gun invented in the 15th century which was portable but heavy and was usually fired from a support

harquebusier

ˌhär-kwi-(ˌ)bə-ˈsir 

-kə-bə-

noun

Word History

Etymology

Middle French harquebuse, arquebuse, modification of Middle Dutch hakebusse, from hake hook + busse tube, box, gun, from Late Latin buxis box

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

harquebus

noun

har·​que·​bus ˈhär-kwi-(ˌ)bəs 

variants or arquebus

ˈär- 

: a portable firearm of the 15th and 16th centuries later replaced by the musket