Cŭl'ver-in, n.

n. [Fr. couleuvrine, Sp. culebrina, It. colubrina, from Fr. couleuvre, Sp. culebra, It. colubro, Lat. coluber, a serpent, colubrinus, like a serpent.] A piece of ordnance, formerly, but not now, in use;—so called because long and slender, like a serpent, or because it was ornamented with the figures of serpents.

The names “cannon” and “coloueverine” were not confined to large guns, but were given also to those of small caliber.

Grose.