'howitzer' originates from Dutch, specifically the word 'houwitser', which was derived from the Czech word 'houfnice', where 'houf' meant 'crowd' or 'heap'.

'houfnice' transformed into the Dutch word 'houwitser', and eventually became the modern English word 'howitzer'.

Initially, it meant 'a catapult or a device for throwing stones', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a type of artillery piece'.