testudo

 
Pronunciation: /tɛˈstjuːdəʊ, -ˈstuː-/

noun (plural testudos or testudines /-dɪniːz/)

  • (in ancient Rome) a wheeled screen with an arched roof, used to protect besieging troops.
  • a protective screen formed by a body of troops holding their shields above their heads in such a way that the shields overlap.

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin, literally 'tortoise', from testa 'tile, shell'