The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Arbalest \Ar"ba*lest\, Arbalist \Ar"ba*list\, n. [OF. arbaleste,
   LL. arbalista, for L. arcuballista; arcus bow + ballista a
   military engine. See Ballista.] (Antiq.)
   A crossbow, consisting of a steel bow set in a shaft of wood,
   furnished with a string and a trigger, and a mechanical
   device for bending the bow. It served to throw arrows, darts,
   bullets, etc. [Written also arbalet and arblast.]
   --Fosbroke.
   [1913 Webster] Arbalester