culverin Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a heavy cannon with a long barrel used in the 16th and 17th centuries
  2. noun a medieval musket

WordNet

Cul"ver*in noun
Etymology
F. coulevrine, prop. fem. of couleuvrin like a serpent, fr. couleuvre adder, fr. L. coluber, colubra.
Definitions
  1. A long cannon of the 16th century, usually an 18-pounder with serpent-shaped handles.
    Trump, and drum, and roaring culverin. Maculay.

Webster 1913