'arquebus' originates from Middle Dutch, specifically the word 'haakbusse', where 'haak' meant 'hook' and 'busse' meant 'pipe' or 'tube'.

'arquebus' changed from Middle Dutch 'haakbusse' (and Middle High German 'hakebusse') into Old French 'arquebus(e)' and Spanish 'arcabuz', and eventually entered modern English as 'arquebus'.

Initially it meant 'hook-gun' (a gun with a hook or rest), but over time it evolved to denote a specific type of early matchlock firearm and later was used more generally for early portable guns.