What is the origin of the word "arquebus"? A Capitan Alatriste fan wishes to know.

Question

If it came in from the German, then what are the German roots. Did the Germans take it from Arabic?

Answer 1

According to the etymology described by Wikipedia:

"The word arquebus is derived from the Dutch word Haakbus ("hook gun"), which was applied to an assortment of firearms from the 15th to 17th centuries. It originally referred to "a hand-gun with a hook-like projection or lug on its under surface, useful for steadying it against battlements or other objects when firing". The arquebus has at times been known as the harquebus, harkbus, hackbut, hagbut, archibugio, haakbus, schiopo, sclopus,  tüfenk, tofak, matchlock, and firelock."

Over time it was replaced by the musket.

Answer 2

Search: "arquebus etymology"

 

Etymology is the study of the origin of words.

 

Find: mid 16th century: from French harquebuse, based on Middle Low German hakebusse, from hake ‘hook’ + busse ‘gun.’