Hogs"head (?), n. [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 52½ imperial gallons; a half pipe.
&fist; 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.]
Hear it pronounced