trous-de-loup

/ ˌtruːdəˈluː /

noun

military any of a series of conical-shaped pits with a stake fixed in the centre, formerly used as protection against enemy cavalry

C18: from French, literally: wolf's holes

The Roxbury road ran through a narrow passage between two bastions of earth, surrounded with a heavy abatis and trous de loup.

Military pits or trous de loup are excavations in the shape of an inverted cone or pyramid, with a pointed stake in the bottom.

Beyond the two ditches, were trous-de-loup, or wolf-traps, from twenty to seventy feet apart.

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse