Webster's English Dictionary

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petard

pe.tard \p*-'ta:r(d)\ n [MF, fr. peter to break wind, fr. pet expulsion of 
   intestinal gas,]fr. L peditum, fr. neut. of peditus, pp. of pedere to break 
   wind; akin to Gk bdein to break wind 1: a case containing an explosive to 
   break down a door or gate or breach a  wall 2: a firework that explodes 
   with a loud report