a quantity of small projectiles enclosed in a single case, as a shrapnel shell, for firing from a gun
case shot in American English
noun
a collection of small projectiles in a case, to be fired from a cannon
Also called: canister, canister shot
Word origin
[1665–75]This word is first recorded in the period 1665–75. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: background, group, recessive, wader, wig