Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TIM'BREL, n. [Sp. tamboril, a tabor or drum; It. tamburo; Fr. tambourin, tambour; Ir. tiompan; L. tympanum; Gr. τυμπανον. This is probably the same as tabor, or from the same root; m being casual. It is from beating; Gr. τυπτω.]

An instrument of music; a kind of drum, tabor or tabret, which has been in use from the highest antiquity. And Miriam took a timbrel in her hand – and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Exod. xv.