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 cataracl; and when it consists of straight stakes, without any cross-pieces, it is called orgnes.

Herse, is also a harrow, which the besieged, for want of chevaux de frise, lay in the way, or in breaches, with the points up, to incommode the march as well of the horse as of the infantry.