Pavis \Pa*vis\, Pavise \Pa*vise\, n. [OF. pavaix, F. pavois; cf.
It. pavese, LL. pavense; perh. named from Pavia in Italy.]
(Mil. Antiq.)
A large heavy oblong shield covering the whole body, carried
by a pavisor, who sometimes also screened an archer with it.
It was originally carried but sometimes set up in permanent
position [Written also {pavis}, {pavais}, {pavese}, and
{pavesse}.] --Fairholt.
[1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]