Obs. [a. OF. javelot, It. giavelotto; in ONF. gavelot, Breton gavlod, MHG. gabilôt (Diez). See also GAVELOT.
The original source of F. javel-, ONF. gavel-, in javelot, javeline, and their cognates, is uncertain, and beset with many difficulties; opinion at present favors a Celtic origin; see GAVELOCK, and cf. Diez and Thurneysen s.v. giavelotto.]
A small spear or javelin thrown with the hand or from a catapult.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of A., I. xiv. 38. Sperys, dartys, and iauelots.
1675. Phil. Trans., X. 282. Catapultæ and Balistæ: the former casting Javelots: the latter stones.
1693. Urquhart, Rabelais, III. Prol. They sharpned and prepared Spears,… Javelins, Javelots and Trunchions.
1708. Motteux, Rabelais, V. ix. (1737), 35. Javelins, Javelots, Darts, Dartlets.
