snaphance
noun
snap·hance
variants or snaphaunce or less commonly snaphaan
ˈsnapˌ han|(t)s,
-hän|
|n
plural -s
1
a
: a primitive flintlock
b
: an old-time musket having such a lock
2
obsolete : a snap catch or spring catch
Word History
Etymology
Dutch snaphaan highway man, snaphance (influenced in meaning by snappen to snap and haan hammer of a gun), from Middle Dutch snaphaen highwayman, from snappen to snap, snatch + haen cock; akin to Old High German hani cock