Slingerwerk

Slingerwerk is a historical term found in German-language sources with several related meanings connected to the idea of throwing or projecting objects. The word combines slinger, meaning a thrower or one who uses a sling, with werk, meaning work, craft, or technique. In Dutch and other Low German contexts a similar compound may appear, but the term remains unusual in contemporary usage.

In military and siege literature from the late medieval to early modern periods, slingerwerk often refers to the practice, methods, or organization of troops who employed sling-projectiles or other throwing weapons. Some sources describe the discipline as a distinct branch of light infantry or as part of broader siegecraft, while others use the term to denote the equipment, training, and procedures associated with sling-armed troops.

Beyond strictly military contexts, slingerwerk can also appear in references to workshops or crafts that produce slings or sling-related devices, or more generally to the technique of slinging as a craft or trade. However, this usage is less common and tends to appear mainly in archival descriptions, technical dictionaries, or historical overviews rather than in modern manuals.

Because the term is sparse and context-dependent, its precise meaning is best inferred from surrounding text. In contemporary reference works, slingerwerk is treated as a historical or specialized term rather than a standard, widely used concept.

See also: sling, slinger, siege warfare, fortification, military archaeology.