I. ˈpäm-ˌpäm noun
Etymology: alteration of pompon
Date: 1873
1. : an ornamental ball or tuft used especially on clothing, caps, or costumes
2. : a handheld usually brightly colored fluffy ball flourished by cheerleaders
II. noun
Etymology: imitative; from the sound of its discharge
Date: 1899
: a multibarreled automatic antiaircraft gun of 20 to 40 millimeters mounted especially on ships