The
proofing of armour is testing
armour for its defensive ability, most commonly the historical testing of
plate armour and
mail (armour). In the early Middle Ages, armour would be classified by the blows it could withstand, being certified as proof against
swords,
axes, and
arrows. As firearms emerged as battlefield weapons, armour would be tested against them, as well, from which came the modern term "bulletproof".