CARCASS  , the dead

body of an animal . As a butcher's term, the word means the body of an animal without the head, extremities and offal . It is also used of a hollow iron case filled with combustibles, and fired from a howitzer to set fire to buildings, ships, &c., the flames issuing through holes pierced in the sides . The word is common in various forms to Romanic languages, but the ultimate origin is obscure . Possible derivations are from the Lat. taro, flesh, and Ital. casso or cassa, chest, or from a Med . Gr. rapicavwv, a quiver, for which the Fr. is carquois, and Port. carcaz .