ˈkəlvərə̇n noun
also cul·ve·ring -riŋ
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French coulevrine, couleuvrine, from couleuvre adder, snake (from Latin colubra, feminine of colubr-, coluber snake) + -ine — more at coluber
: a firearm that was originally a rude musket but was in the 16th and 17th centuries a long cannon (as an 18-pounder) with serpent-shaped handles