Howitzer

(hou'îts-ur.) [Ger. haubitze, cupola-shaped.] (Gun.) Akind of mortar mounted on a gun-carriage, constructed of bra or iron, and formerly much used in projecting grenades, canister, and, sometimes, hot shot. The English first brought them into vogue during the latter half of the 17th cent. H. have become to a great degree superseded by shell-guns. [s. 464]