mangonel

A missle slinging seige weapon in the list which includes catapults, perriers, and trebuchets. A mangonel uses the stored torsional energy in a rope twisted around a roller to throw a stone. The throwing arm is stopped by a leather padded crossbar at 180 deg. arc, dissipating much energy and making a high throw.

Man"go*nel (?), n. [OF. mangonel, LL. manganellus, manganum, fr. Gr. See Mangle, n.]

A military engine formerly used for throwing stones and javelins.

© Webster 1913.