blunderbuss

/ˌblʌndərˈbʌs/

Other forms: blunderbusses

A blunderbuss is an old-fashioned shotgun with a flare at the end of its muzzle. The blunderbuss was one of the most widely-used weapons from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

A shorter, handgun-style blunderbuss was called a "dragon." Both this and the shotgun type blunderbuss were loaded with lead balls, or "shot," and used in military operations and even taken along on the early 1800s Lewis and Clark expedition. Blunderbuss comes from the Dutch roots donder, "thunder," and bus, "gun." Another kind of blunderbuss is a bumbling, unsubtle, or oafish action: "The blunderbuss police operation did nothing but infuriate the protesters."

Definitions of blunderbuss

1. noun

   a short musket of wide bore with a flared muzzle
   type of:

   musket

   a muzzle-loading shoulder gun with a long barrel; formerly used by infantrymen