Obs. [a. OF. balestier:L. ballistārius, late L. balestārius arbalester; cf. BALLISTIER.] An arbalester, a crossbow-man.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of A., I. xxiii. 71. Gonners, balesters, and archers.
1613. T. Godwin, Rom. Antiq. (1658), 263. Near unto which standeth the cunning balister.