Herse
Herse (hẽrs) , noun
[French herse harrow, portcullis, Old French herce, Late Latin hercia, Latin hirpex, gen. hirpicis, and irpex, gen. irpicis, harrow. The Late Latin hercia signifies also a kind of candlestick in the form of a harrow, having branches filled with lights, and placed at the head of graves or cenotaphs; whence herse came to be used for the grave, coffin, or chest containing the dead. Compare Hearse.]
1.
(Fortification) A kind of gate or portcullis, having iron bars, like a harrow, studded with iron spikes. It is hung above gateways so that it may be quickly lowered, to impede the advance of an enemy. — Farrow
2.
See Hearse, a carriage for the dead.
3.
A funeral ceremonial. [Obsolete] — Spenser
Herse , transitive verb
Same as Hearse, transitive verb — Chapman