barrage

1. (military) A heavy curtain of artillery fire directed in front of one's own troops to screen and protect them.Examples: "The 75s of V Corps fired a standard rolling barrage, while the larger 155 mm and 8-inch pieces fired standing barrages 500 meters beyond the barrage line. For the rolling barrage, one battery in each battalion fired low, bursting shrapnel instead of the standard high explosive."

2. (by extension) An overwhelming outburst of words, especially of criticism.Examples: "Lesser lawyers who were vague in oral argument faced a barrage of sarcasm or, if he agreed with them, constant chiding to do better."broadly

3. (fencing) A "next hit wins" contest to determine the winner of a bout in case of a tie.