"crossbow," c. 1300, from Old French arbaleste "large crossbow with a crank" (12c., Modern French arbalète), from Vulgar Latin arbalista, from Late Latin arcuballista "catapul [..]

(Fr: arbalète, Ger. Armbrust, Crossbow) The correct term for a crossbow, introduced early in the 14th century.

A crossbow with a steel box stave.    (Wise, Terence. Medieval Warfare, 246)

(n) an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

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An extremely heavy crossbow, usually with a metal bow. Arbalests were too heavy to draw by hand, and required a windlass or cranequin.

A heavy type of crossbow

A late form of medieval crossbow, having a steel prod, or bow.

The arbalest (also arblast) was a late variation of the medieval European crossbow. A larger weapon, the arbalest had a steel prod ("bow"). Since an arbalest was much larger than earlier crossbows, and because of the greater tensile strength of steel, it had a greater force. A skilled arbalestier (arblaster) could shoot two bolts per minu [..]