caisson

cais·son

noun
\ˈkā-ˌsän, -s^ən, British also kə-ˈsün\

Definition of CAISSON

1

a : a chest to hold ammunition b : a usually 2-wheeled vehicle for artillery ammunition attachable to a horse-drawn limber; also : a limber with its attached caisson

2

a : a watertight chamber used in construction work under water or as a foundation b : a hollow floating box or a boat used as a floodgate for a dock or basin

3

: coffer 3

Illustration of CAISSON

Origin of CAISSON

French, from Middle French, from Old Occitan, from caissa chest, from Latin capsa — more at case

First Known Use: circa 1702

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Rhymes with CAISSON

basin, chasten, hasten, Jason, mason