Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Catapult
Cat′a·pult, n. [L. catapulta, Gr. καταπέλτης, prob. from κατά down + πάλλειν to shake, hurl.]
1. (Mil. Antiq.) An engine somewhat resembling a massive crossbow, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for throwing stones, arrows, spears, etc.
2. A forked stick with elastic band for throwing small stones, etc.