Musketoon
/ˌmʌskɪˈtuːn/noun
A short-barreled firearm, especially a cavalry carbine or a blunderbuss-like gun.
Did you know?Musketoon is a diminutive of musket, and musket itself likely began as a word for a sparrowhawk, so one of history’s loudest weapons may have started as the name of a bird of prey.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
Italian
moschetto
“A small musket or a small projectile; also related to the word for a sparrowhawk in some historical explanations.”
16th Century
French
mousquet
“A musket, especially an early shoulder firearm.”
17th Century
French
mousqueton
“A short musket or carbine, often used by cavalry.”
17th Century
English
musketoon
“An English borrowing for a short-barreled firearm or blunderbuss-type gun.”