Dictionary entry

Drumhead

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Drum″head′ (?), n. 1. The parchment or skin stretched over one end of a drum.

2. The top of a capstan which is pierced with sockets for levers used in turning it. See Illust. of Capstan.

Drumhead court-martial(Mil.), a summary court-martial called to try offenses on the battlefield or the line of march, when, sometimes, a drumhead has to do service as a writing table.