† carthoun Obs.
[= Ger. kartaune, kartane, ad. It. and med.L. quartana, which, as well as the former Ger. transl. viertelsbüchse ‘quarter-gun’, designated originally ‘a 25-pounder cannon in relation to the largest siege-pieces of 100 lbs.’ (Kluge). Also cartow, q.v.]
A kind of cannon, also called a quarter-cannon; recent writers identify it (app. through some error) with the cannon-royal. See also cartow, curtall.
| 1849 Mem. Kirkaldy Gr. xxviii. 335 These consisted of one cannon-royal or carthoun a 48 pounder, two sakers, etc. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Carthoun, the ancient cannon royal, carrying a 66 lb. ball. 1874 Knight Dict. Mech. I. 446 Cannon royal or carthoun 48 pounds. |