how‧it‧zer/ˈhaʊɪtsə $ -ər/ noun[COUNTABLE] [date : 1600-1700; Language : Dutch; Origin : houwitser, from Czech houfnice 'weapon for throwing large rocks'] a heavy gun that fires shellshigh into the air
noun EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS ▪ An howitzer shell screamed down to smash the wheel of the last gun limber. ▪ An even more agonizing ordeal for his troops was to position the howitzers and antiaircraft guns in the hills above Dienbienphu. ▪ But like a howitzer brought out to shoot ants, it left us with other problems. ▪ Even Reeves's younger brother, under the full blast of a howitzer shell, had stood a better chance. ▪ The company said it was selling to concentrate on building tanks, howitzers, propulsion systems and Cosworth engines. ▪ The question is: Should we roll out the howitzer every time corruption appears? ▪ The room looks as if it was hit by a howitzer. ▪ Two howitzer shells exploded a few paces from his horse, both blasts beginning small fires among the rye.
how‧it‧zer/ˈhaʊɪtsə $ -ər/ noun [COUNTABLE]