Her. Forms: 56 fusille, 7 fusile, -ll, 7 fusil. [ad. OF. fu(i)sel (F. fuseau):popular L. *fusell-us, dim. of fūsus spindle.
The mod. Fr. heraldic term is fusée, but the adj. fuselé, = FUSILLY, seems to show that fusel was formerly used in this sense.]
A bearing in the form of an elongated lozenge; understood to have been originally a representation of a spindle covered with tow.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, Her., E ij a. It is calde fusillit for it is made all of fusillis.
1572. Bossewell, Armorie, II. 34 b. Firste bearethe Fusilles, whiche are so termed, for that they be made like Spindles.
1602. Segar, Hon. Mil. & Civ., II. xiv. 79. The habit is an vnder garment of Crimson veluet, with a mantle of the same, lined with white, it openeth on the right side, and in the wearing is turned vp on the left shoulder, it is richly embrodered round about with a border of flames, fusils and fleeces.
1653. A. Ross, Πανσεβεια (1658), 351. The great Collar was made of double Fusiles enterwoven with Stones and Flints, sparkling flames of fire.
176587. in Porny, Her., Gloss.
182840. Berry, Encycl. Her., I., s.v. The fusil nearly resembles the lozenge in shape, but is longer.
Comb. 1860. J. Hewitt, Anc. Armour, II. 235. Fusil-shaped spikes [of a Rowel-spur].
Hence † Fusilled ppl. a. (see quot. 1486 above).