Military or specialized weapons that spray flaming liquid or fire over a distance, or devices designed to project flames for controlled burns or effects.
From English 'flame' plus 'thrower' (from 'throw'), literally describing something that throws flames. The technology was developed in Germany during World War I and became widely used in subsequent conflicts. The term is also used for non-military versions used in agriculture and entertainment.
Modern flamethrowers don't actually throw flames—they spray liquid fuel that ignites in mid-air, and they're so effective at starting uncontrolled fires that they're banned as weapons in many countries but still used carefully for controlled agricultural burns.
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