Kettledrum
Kettledrum (-drum`) , noun
1.
(Music) A drum made of thin copper in the form of a hemispherical kettle, with parchment stretched over the mouth of it.
Kettledrums, in pairs, were formerly used in martial music for cavalry, but are now chiefly confined to orchestras, where they are called tympani.
2.
An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening. Compare Drum, n., 4 and 5.