tumbril

Meaning

Noun

• A kind of medieval torture device, later associated with a cucking stool.
• A cart which opens at the back to release its load.
• A cart used to carry condemned prisoners to their death, especially to the guillotine during the French Revolution.
• A basket or cage of osiers, willows, or the like, to hold hay and other food for sheep.

Origin

• From Old French tumberel (in Anglo-Latin tumberellus), from tomber, tumber.