Pa*vise (?), n. [OF. pavaix, F. pavois; cf. It. pavese, LL. pavense; perh. named from Pavia in Italy.] Mil. Antiq.
A large shield covering the whole body, carried by a pavisor, who sometimes screened also an archer with it.
[Written also
pavais,
pavese, and
pavesse.]
Fairholt.
© Webster 1913.