Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Bombard \Bom"bard\, n. [F. bombarde, LL. bombarda, fr. L. bombus
   + -ard. Cf. {Bumper}, and see {Bomb}.]
   1. (Gun.) A piece of heavy ordnance formerly used for
      throwing stones and other ponderous missiles. It was the
      earliest kind of cannon.

            They planted in divers places twelve great bombards,
            wherewith they threw huge stones into the air,
            which, falling down into the city, might break down
            the houses.                           --Knolles.

   2. A bombardment. [Poetic & R.] --J. Barlow.

   3. A large drinking vessel or can, or a leather bottle, for
      carrying liquor or beer. [Obs.]

            Yond same black cloud, yond huge one, looks like a
            foul bombard that would shed his liquor. --Shak.

   4. pl. Padded breeches. [Obs.]

   {Bombard phrase}, inflated language; bombast. [Obs.] --B.
      Jonson.