Etymology

From Middle French trébuchet, from Old French trebuchet, trebuket ‎(“a trap”), from trebuchier ‎(“to overthrow, topple”), from tre- + *buchier, from Old French buc ‎(“trunk of the body”), from Old Frankish *būk ‎(“belly, trunk, torso”), from Proto-Germanic *būkaz ‎(“belly, abdomen, trunk”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰōw- ‎(“to blow, swell”). Cognate with Old High German būh ‎(“belly”), Old English būc ‎(“belly, trunk”). More at bouk.