Plural of harquebus; early firearms with long barrels and wooden stocks that were heavy and required a support to fire.
From Dutch 'haakbus' (hook gun), combining 'haak' (hook) and 'bus' (gun). The hook referred to the device used to brace the gun while firing. The term entered English in the 16th century during the era of European firearms development.
Harquebuses were so heavy and awkward that soldiers needed a special forked support called a 'rest' just to aim them—imagine needing a kickstand for your weapon! Yet they revolutionized warfare because one harquebus could pierce armor that swords and bows couldn't.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.