herse
nounIn fortification, a lattice or portcullis in the form of a harrow, set with iron spikes. It is hung by a rope fastened to a moulinet, and when a gate is broken, it is let down to obstruct the passage. It is called also a sarrasin or cataract, and when it consists of straight stakes without cross-pieces, it is called orgues. Herse is also a harrow, used for a chevaux de frise, and laid in the way or in breaches, with the points up, to obstruct or incommode the march of an enemy.