Main Entry:

har·que·bus

Pronunciation:

\ˈhär-kwi-(ˌ)bəs, -kə-bəs\

Variant(s):

or ar·que·bus \ˈär-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

1532

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

— har·que·bus·ier \ˌhär-kwi-(ˌ)bə-ˈsir, -kə-bə-\ noun