harquebus

plural harquebuses · plural harquebusses · alternative arquebus · alternative hackbuss · alternative hackbut · alternative hagbus · alternative hagbut · alternative hagebut · alternative harquebuse · alternative harquebuss

1. An obsolete matchlock firearm.

   All the while they had their eye and foot so quicke and readie, that as soone as ever they saw the harquebuse raised to the cheeke, so soon were they on the ground, and eftsoone to answer with their bowes, and to the their way, if by chance they perceived that we were about to take them.

   1850, William Gilmore Simms, The Lily and the Totem: or, The Huguenots in Florida, Digitalized edition, Baker and Schribner, published 2009, page 292

2. A portable gun, varying in size from a small cannon to a musket. When used in the field it was supported upon a tripod or trestle.