aventail

Meaning

Noun

• A flap of chainmail, fastened to a helmet, covering the throat, neck, shoulders, in lieu of a complete coif.
• The movable (solid plate) front to a helmet; the ventail.

Origin

• From Middle English aventayle, from Old French esventail ("air-hole"), from esventer (Modern French éventer), from Latin ex ("out") + ventus.