muzzleloader

American  

[muhz-uhl-loh-der] / ˈmʌz əlˌloʊ dər /

Or muzzle-loader

noun

1. a firearm that is loaded through the muzzle.

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Other Word Forms

• muzzleloading adjective

Etymology

Origin of muzzleloader

First recorded in 1855–60; muzzle + loader

Example Sentences

The rustling in the brush was loud, so Brian Christman raised his muzzleloader for the deer he expected to emerge.

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2023

Marine, said “I’ve never used a muzzleloader before, and certainly couldn’t load one in the dark in a storm with a mad moose.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 2, 2022

At least 859 hunted with a muzzleloader or a modern gun.

From Washington Times • Mar. 24, 2018

During last year’s general combined modern firearm, archery and muzzleloader seasons, 121,313 hunters took home 35,407 deer for a 31.3 percent success rate.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 8, 2016

Rufus’s father arrived on a flat-bed wagon, carrying his familiar long rifle—an old muzzleloader, I realized.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler