catapult

Noun

• an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

• a device that launches aircraft from a warship

• a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones

Verb

• hurl as if with a sling

• shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult
  • the enemy catapulted rocks towards the fort
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  arbalest , arbalist , ballista , bricole , mangonel , onager , trebuchet , trebucket , launcher , slingshot , sling