ETYM Old Fren. courtault, French courtaud, having a docked tail (cf. Italian cortaldo), from court short, Latin curtus. Related to Curt, and Curtail.
(Obsolete) Cut short.
Short; abbreviated; curtailed; early form of the bassoon.
Short; curtailed.

Capped double-reed Renaissance woodwind instrument, ancestor of the bassoon, of folded conical bore and mild reedy tone, also known as the dulcian.