Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Cheval-de-frise
‖
Che-val′-de-frise′
,Noun.
pl.
. Chevaux-de-frise
[F.;
cheval
horse + Frise
Friesland, where it was first used.] (Mil.)
A piece of timber or an iron barrel traversed with iron-pointed spikes or spears, five or six feet long, used to defend a passage, stop a breach, or impede the advance of cavalry, etc.
Obstructions of chain, boom, and
cheval-de-frise
. W. Irving.