Caponiere \Cap`o*niere"\, n. [F. caponni[`e]re, fr. Sp.
caponera, orig., a cage for fattening capons, hence, a place
of refuge; cf. It. capponiera. See {Capon}.] (Fort.)
A work made across or in the ditch, to protect it from the
enemy, or to serve as a covered passageway.
[1913 Webster]