*howitzer*

n. [ G. haubitze, formerly hauffnitz, Bohem. haufnice, orig., a sling. ] (Mil.) (a) A gun so short that the projectile, which was hollow, could be put in its place by hand; a kind of mortar. [ Obs. ] (b) A short, light, largebore cannon, usually having a chamber of smaller diameter than the rest of the bore, and intended to throw large projectiles with comparatively small charges. [ 1913 Webster ]