society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > [noun]
cane of fire1550
shota1578
fire1590
fire piece1592
fireweapon?1592
powder instrument1613
firearm1643
firegun1677
bulldog1700
nail driver1823
peacemaker1840
thunder stick1918
1677 G. MiegeNew Dict. French & Eng.i. sig. *N3/3Carabine, a sort of fire-gun.
1860 Wrexham & Denbighshire Advertiser 4 Aug. The field of battle, covered with dead bodies of the enemy, and with baggage of every kind and fireguns, was at last conquered.