firkin

(fʉrkin)

noun

  1. a small, wooden tub for butter, lard, etc.
  2. a unit of capacity equal to barrel

Origin: ME, contr. < firdekyn < MDu, dim. of vierdel, fourth

See firkin in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A small wooden barrel or covered vessel.
  2. Any of several British units of capacity, usually equal to about 1/4 of a barrel or 9 gallons (34 liters).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English ferken, ferdekin

Origin: , probably from Middle Dutch *verdelkijn

Origin: , diminutive of veerdel, one-fourth

Origin: : veerde, fourth; see kwetwer- in Indo-European roots

Origin: + deel, part; see dail- in Indo-European roots

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