(slang) a revolver or automatic pistol. A term derived from a Gatling gun: an early type of machinegun consisting of a cluster of barrels revolving around a central axis by a hand crank. Each barrel was automatically loaded and fired during every revolution of the cluster. Named afterAmerican inventor R. J. Gatling (1818 - 1903) who perfected it. —PDC Volume 7 Approved Glossary