arquebus

Also har·que·bus,
Also

[ahr-kwuh-buhs]

noun

plural

arquebuses 

1. any of several small-caliber long guns operated by a matchlock or wheel-lock mechanism, dating from about 1400.

arquebus

/ ˈɑːkwɪbəs /

noun

1. Also called: hackbut.  hagbut. a portable long-barrelled gun dating from the 15th century: fired by a wheel-lock or matchlock

Word History and Origins

Origin of arquebus¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French harquebusche (with intrusive -r- ), from Middle Dutch hākebusse, equivalent to hāke “hook“ + busse “gun” (literally, “box”), from Late Latin buxis for Latin buxus “box tree, boxwood; flute made from boxwood”; box ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of arquebus¹

C16: via Old French harquebuse from Middle Dutch hakebusse, literally: hook gun, from the shape of the butt, from hake hook + busse box, gun, from Late Latin busis box