n.
Pronunciation: ' här-kwi-( ˌ )b ə s, -k ə -b ə s
Variant: or ar · que · bus \ ' är- \
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French harquebuse, arquebuse, modification of Middle Dutch hakebusse, from hake hook + busse tube, box, gun, from Late Latin buxis box
Date: 1532
: a matchlock gun invented in the 15th century which was portable but heavy and was usually fired from a support
– har · que · bus · ier \ ˌ här-kwi-( ˌ )b ə - ' sir, -k ə -b ə - \ noun