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hogshead

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hogs⋅head

  [hawgz-hed, hogz-]
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–noun
1. a large cask, esp. one containing from 63 to 140 gallons (238 to 530 liters).
2. any of various units of liquid measure, esp. one equivalent to 63 gallons (238 liters). Abbreviation: hhd
Origin:
1350–1400; ME hoggeshed, lit., hog's head; unexplained
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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hogs·head   (hôgz'hěd', hŏgz'-)   
n.  

  1. Abbr. hhd Any of various units of volume or capacity ranging from 63 to 140 gallons (238 to 530 liters), especially a unit of capacity used in liquid measure in the United States, equal to 63 gallons (238 liters).

  2. A large barrel or cask with this capacity.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

hogshead 
1390, presumably on some perceived resemblance. The original liquid measure was 63 old wine gallons (by a statute of 1423); later anywhere from 100 to 140 gallons. Borrowed into other Gmc. languages, oddly, as ox-head (cf. Du. okshoofd, Ger. oxhoft, Swed. oxhufvud).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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