Māch'i-co-lā'tion, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [L. Lat. machicolamentum, machicollatura, Fr. machicoulis, machecoulis, from meche, match, combustible matter, and O. Fr. coulis, flowing, Pr. coladitz, from Fr. couler, to flow, Pr. colar, from Lat. colare, to filter. See MATCH.]

1. (Mil. Arch.) A parapet or gallery projecting from the upper part of the wall of a house or fortification, supported by corbels or brackets, and perforated or furnished with apertures in the lower part, through which the assailed may fire or hurl missiles down upon their assailants:—applied also to the apertures themselves.
2. The act of pouring or hurling missiles and various burning or melted substances upon assailants through such apertures.