noun
caisson
A military carriage for transporting ammunition or a coffin.
Horses draw the ceremonial caisson carrying a flag-draped coffin.
Etymology
French caisson named a large chest or box. The military carriage originally carried ammunition in such a container, with ceremonial use extending the carriage’s role to carrying a coffin.
More examples
- The artillery crew loaded ammunition onto the caisson.
- The funeral procession followed the slowly moving caisson.
- An old military caisson stood beside the cannon.
Forms
caisson · caissons
Similar words
- hearse
- A vehicle specifically for transporting a coffin, while a caisson also has an ammunition role.