hearse

Etymology

From Middle English herse, hers, herce, from Old French herce, from Medieval Latin hercia, from Latin herpicem, hirpex; ultimately from Oscan 𐌇𐌉𐌓𐌐𐌖𐌔 (hirpus, “wolf”), a reference to the teeth. The Oscan term is related to Latin hīrsūtus (“bristly, shaggy”). Doublet of hirsute.

noun

1. A hind (female deer) in the second year of her age.
2. A framework of wood or metal placed over the coffin or tomb of a deceased person, and covered with a pall; also, a temporary canopy bearing wax lights and set up in a church, under which the coffin was placed during the funeral ceremonies.
3. A grave, coffin, tomb, or sepulchral monument.
   underneath this sable hearse 1621, Ben Jonson, Epitath to Mary Herbert
   who lies beneath this sculptured hearse 1882, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, To the Avon
4. A bier or handbarrow for conveying the dead to the grave.
5. A carriage or vehicle specially adapted or used for transporting a dead person to the place of funeral or to the grave.

verb

1. (dated) To enclose in a hearse; to entomb.