[ noun ] a long stout staff used as a weapon <noun.artifact>
Quarterstaff \Quar"ter*staff`\, n.; pl. {Quarterstaves}. A long and stout staff formerly used as a weapon of defense and offense; -- so called because in holding it one hand was placed in the middle, and the other between the middle and the end.
For a $350 fee, Waller trains actors in the art of dueling with such deadly weapons as rapier and dagger, broadsword and quarterstaff without committing mayhem on the stage _ but convincing theatergoers they're seeing the real thing.