Treb"u*chet (?), Tre"buck*et (?), n. [OF. trebuchet, trebukiet, an engine of war for hurling stones, F. tr'ebuchet a gin, trap, a kind of balance, fr. OF. trebuchier, trebuquier, to stumble, trip, F. tr'ebucher.]
1.
A cucking stool; a tumbrel.
Cowell.
2.
A military engine used in the Middle Ages for throwing stones, etc. It acted by means of a great weight fastened to the short arm of a lever, which, being let fall, raised the end of the long arm with great velocity, hurling stones with much force.
3.
A kind of balance for weighing.
[Obs.]
© Webster 1913.