Obs. [Derivation uncertain.
Cf. F. crapaudeau, crapaudine, ancient pieces of artillery.]
A kind of fire-arm, used in 17th c.
1626. Capt. Smith, Accid. Yng. Sea-men, 31. (The names of all sorts of great Ordinance and peeces, and their appurtenances.) Carbines, Crabuts, long Pistols, short Pistols. Ibid. (1627), Seaman’s Gram., xiv. 69. For … Coliuers, Crabuts, Carbins.
1659. Howell, Vocab., § vi. Smaller guns as courriours, harquebusses, muskets, crabuts, carbines.
