a piece of fire-arms, of the length of a musket, usually cocked with a wheel. It carried a ball that weighed one ounce seven eighths.

There was also a larger sort, called the great harquebus, used for the defence of strong places, which carried a ball of about three ounces and a half; but they are now but little used, except in some old castles, and by the French in some of their garrisons.