Cervi
so called from their resemblance to the horns of a stag. Branches of trees interlaced with
their points projecting, used in war, as palisading or
chevaux-de-frise, in front of or upon earthworks or fortifications (
B. G.
vii. 72;
Liv. xliv. 11, 4), and sometimes, where there were no
fortifications, stuck simply into the level ground (Sil. Ital. x. 413, 414).