HOGSHEAD

hogshead

(noun) a large cask especially one holding 63 gals

hogshead

(noun) a British unit of capacity for alcoholic beverages

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

hogshead (plural hogsheads)

(Britain) An English measure of capacity for liquids, containing 63 wine gallons, or about 52-1/2 imperial gallons; a half pipe.

Synonym: hhd. (abbreviation)

A large barrel or cask of indefinite contents, especially one containing from 100 to 140 gallons.

Source: Wiktionary

Hogs"head, n. Etym: [D. okshoofd; akin to Sw. oxhufvud, Dan. oxehoved, G. oxhoft; apparently meaning orig., ox head, but it is not known why this name was given. Cf. Ox, Head.]

1. An English measure of capacity, containing 63 wine gallons, or about 52

Note: The London hogshead of beer was 54 beer gallons, the London hogshead of ale was 48 ale gallons. Elsewhere in England the ale and beer hogsheads held 51 gallons. These measures are no longer in use, except for cider.

2. A large cask or barrel, of indefinite contents; esp. one containing from 100 to 140 gallons. [U. S.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition