ˈgābēən, ˈgab- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French, from Old Italian gabbione, literally, large cage, aug. of gabbia cage, from Latin cavea — more at cage
1. : a hollow cylinder of wickerwork or strap iron like a basket without a bottom that is filled with earth and used in building fieldworks or in mining as revetments or as shelter from an enemy's fire
2. : a contrivance like a gabion filled with stones and sunk to assist in forming a bar, dike, or similar structure (as in harbor works)