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A 'bombard' is a type of medieval cannon or mortar, used chiefly in sieges for throwing heavy stone balls. The modern term ''bombardment'' derives from this.
A notable example of a bombard is the large Mons Meg weapon, built around 1449 and used by King James II of Scotland. Mons Meg was capable of firing 180 kg (396 lb) shots and was one of the largest bombards ever built. It is now housed on public display at Edinburgh Castle.
This weapon was usually used during sieges to hurl various forms of missile into enemy fortifications,such as stone or metal ball and burning materials, or a weighted cloth soaked in quicklime or greek fire.
The name derives through medieval Latin and French forms from a Greek word expressing the making of a humming noise.
''Original text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica''
Eventually however, bombards were superseded by weapons utilizing smaller calibre iron projectiles using more powerful gunpowder.