bricole

bricole [brɪˈkəʊl ˈbrɪk^əl]

n

1. (Group Games / Billiards & Snooker) Billiards a shot in which the cue ball touches a cushion after striking the object ball and before touching another ball

2. (Military / Arms & Armour (excluding Firearms)) (in ancient and medieval times) a military catapult for throwing stones, etc

3. (Military) (esp formerly) a harness worn by soldiers for dragging guns or carrying stretchers

4. an indirect or unexpected action

[from Old French: catapult, from Medieval Latin bricola, of uncertain origin]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

bricole - an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles arbalest, arbalist, ballista, mangonel, onager, trebuchet, trebucket, catapult engine - an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.; "medieval engines of war"