from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Corbel \Cor"bel\ (k[^o]r"b[e^]l), n. [F. corbeau, for older
corbel, dim. of L. corbis basket. (Corbels were often in the
form of a basket.) See {Corbeil}.] (Arch.)
A bracket supporting a superincumbent object, or receiving
the spring of an arch. Corbels were employed largely in
Gothic architecture.
[1913 Webster]
Note: A common form of corbel consists of courses of stones
or bricks, each projecting slightly beyond the next
below it.
[1913 Webster]