The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Shrapnel \Shrap"nel\, a.
   Applied as an appellation to a kind of shell invented by Gen.
   H. Shrapnel of the British army. -- n. A shrapnel shell;
   shrapnel shells, collectively.
   [1913 Webster]

   Shrapnel shell (Gunnery), a projectile for a cannon,
      consisting of a shell filled with bullets and a small
      bursting charge to scatter them at any given point while
      in flight. See the Note under Case shot.
      [1913 Webster]