/bahr bet"/ , n.
1. (within a fortification) a platform or mound of earth from which guns may be fired over the parapet instead of through embrasures.
2. Navy. an armored cylinder for protecting the lower part of a turret on a warship.
[ 1765-75; barbe BEARD + -ette -ETTE, prob. from the general metaphorical use of barbe for something which protrudes or faces outward ]