Carbine \Car"bine\, n. [F. carbine, OF. calabrin carabineer (cf. Ot. calabrina a policeman), fr. OF & Pr. calabre, OF. cable, chable, an engine of war used in besieging, fr. LL. chadabula, cabulus, a kind of projectile machine, fr. Gr. ? a throwing down, fr. ? to throw; ? down + ? to throw. Cf. Parable.]

(Mil.) A short, light musket or rifle, esp. one used by mounted soldiers or cavalry.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)