Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Petard"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Petard \Pe*tard"\, n. [F. p['e]tard, fr. p['e]ter to break wind,
to crack, to explode, L. pedere, peditum.] (Mil.)
A case containing powder to be exploded, esp. a conical or
cylindrical case of metal filled with powder and attached to
a plank, to be exploded against and break down gates,
barricades, drawbridges, etc. It has been superseded.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
petard
n : a explosive device used to break down a gate or wall
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