n.
Pronunciation: p ə - ' tär(d)
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, from peter to break wind, from pet expulsion of intestinal gas, from Latin peditum, from neuter of peditus, past participle of pedere to break wind; akin to Greek bdein to break wind
Date: 1598
1 : a case containing an explosive to break down a door or gate or breach a wall
2 : a firework that explodes with a loud report