Note 300 — Chapter VII · THE CHINESE
Reading edition
This word, which Diez (Etymolog. Wörterbuch) derives from μάγγανον, betrays the western origin of the machine. It was well known in England:—
“Set Mahound at the mangonel, and millstones throw.” —“Piers Plowman,” C text, cir. 1393, passus xxi.