Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Gabion \Ga"bi*on\, n.[F., from It. gabbione a large cage,
   gabion, from gabbia cage, L. cavea. See {Cage}.]
   1. (Fort.) A hollow cylinder of wickerwork, like a basket
      without a bottom. Gabions are made of various sizes, and
      filled with earth in building fieldworks to shelter men
      from an enemy's fire.

   2. (Hydraul. Engin.) An openwork frame, as of poles, filled
      with stones and sunk, to assist in forming a bar dyke,
      etc., as in harbor improvement.