Obs. [F. cassine (16th c. in Littré), repr. late L. cassīna hut, farm-house (dim. of cassa, casa cottage); cf. It. casino.]
‘In the military language, a farm-house, where a number of soldiers have posted themselves, in order to make a stand against the approaches of an enemy’ (Chambers, Cycl. Supp., 1753).
1706. Kersey, Cassine, a sort of Country Farm-House in Italy, such as are often fortify’d by the Parties engag’d in the present War, to maintain a particular Post, or upon some other Occasion.
1720. Lond. Gaz., No. 5915/1. The Moors entring the Cassine set up their Colours there … a Cassine before a Half-Moon that covered our Centre.
