HERSE, in Fortification, a lattice, or portcullis, in form of a harrow, beset with iron spikes. The word herse is French, and literally signifies "harrow; being formed of the Latin herper or irper, which denotes the same. It is usually hung by a rope fastened to a moulinet; to be cut, in case of surprise, or when the first gate is broken with a petard, that the herse may fall, and stop up the passage of the gate or other entrance of a fortress.
The herse is otherwise called a serrasin, or cataract; and when it consists of straight stakes, without any cross-pieces, it is called orgues.