"'Marzocco' was the name given to the Florentine Lion, a stone
figure of which was set up in all subject places and the name
shouted as a battle-cry by their armies. It is said to be
derived from the Hebrew, 'Mare' (form, or appearance, or
aspect) and 'Sciahhal,' 'a great Lion.'"
_H. E. Napier,
Florentine History,
volume 4, page 103, foot-note._