tumbrel noun. ['tʌmbr(ǝ)l, -brɪl] Also tumbril. ME.
[Old French tomb-, tumberel (mod. tombereau), in Anglo-Latin tumb(e)rellus, -um, from tomber to fall: see -EL². Cf. TUMBLE verb.]
1. An instrument of punishment, of uncertain early form, but from the 16th cent. usu. identified with a cucking-stool. ME.

2. An open cart which tilts backwards to empty out its load; spec. (a) a dung-cart; (b) Hist. a cart used to carry condemned prisoners to their execution, esp. to the guillotine during the French Revolution. LME.
■ W. Cowper Like a slain deer, the tumbrel brings him home. fig.:
■ J. Krantz I wish you'd been in that audience. I could hear the tumbrels coming for me.
b. transf. A light open carriage. L16-E19.

3. A flat-bottomed boat, a barge; fig. a drunkard, a person filled with alcoholic drink. LME-E18.

4. A square rack for holding fodder in a field or yard. dial. M17.

5. Military. A two-wheeled covered cart for carrying ammunition, tools, etc. E18.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲