An axe having a head consisting of a sharp metal blade combined with a backward-pointing spike, used by some headhunting tribes in the Philippines (now historical).
Origin
Early 19th century.
Definition of head-axe in US English:
head-axe
(UShead-ax)
noun
An axe having a head consisting of a sharp metal blade combined with a backward-pointing spike, used by some headhunting tribes in the Philippines (now historical).