Donjon

Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 4: Dionysius to Friction, p. 56

Donjon, or DUNGEON, the principal tower or keep of a Castle (q.v.) or fortress. It was probably so called because, from its position, it dominated (Low Lat. domnio) or commanded the other parts of the fortress. From the circumstance that the lower or underground story of the donjon was used as a prison has come the modern meaning of the word.

Source scan(s): p. 0065