flagon

noun

Etymology: From Middle English flagon, flakon [and other forms], from Middle French flacon, Old French flacon, flascon (“flask”) (modern French flacon (“vial”)), from Medieval Latin flascōnem, the accusative singular of Late Latin flascō (“bottle; glass or earthenware vessel for wine; portable barrel”), from Frankish *flaska (“bottle; flask”), from Proto-Germanic *flaskǭ (“bottle; flask; vessel covered with plaiting”), from Proto-Germanic *flehtaną (“to braid, plait”) (from the practice of plaiting or wrapping bottles in straw casing), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pleḱ- (“to fold; to plait, weave”). The English word is a doublet of flacon, flask, and fiasco. Cognates * Old English flasce, flaxe (“bottle, flask”) * Old High German flasca, flaska (“bottle, flask”) (German Flasche) * Old Norse flaska (Danish flaske)

1. A large vessel resembling a jug, usually with a handle, lid, and spout, for serving drinks such as cider or wine at a table; specifically (Christianity), such a vessel used to hold the wine for the ritual of Holy Communion.

   “Did they coyn Piss-pots, Bowls, and Flaggons, / Int' Officers of Horse and Dragoons; / And into Pikes and Musqueteers / Stamp Beakers, Cups, and Porringers?”

   “He was naturally a thirsty soul, and was soon tempted to repeat the draught. One taste provoked another, and he reiterated his visits to the flagon so often, that at length his senses were overpowered, his eyes swam in his head, his head gradually declined, and he fell into a deep sleep. […] the flagon—"Oh ! that flagon ! that wicked flagon !" thought Rip—"What excuse shall I make to Dame Van Winkle?"”

2. A large vessel resembling a jug, usually with a handle, lid, and spout, for serving drinks such as cider or wine at a table; specifically (Christianity), such a vessel used to hold the wine for the ritual of Holy Communion.

   “A peſtilence on him for a madde rogue, a pourd a flagon of Reniſh on my head once; […]”

   “[H]e had eaten many a meal, drank many a flagon, and uttered many a reproach; […] [Epitaph of Timocreon of Rhodes.]”

3. A large bottle for drinks such as beer, cider, or wine; also, a bottle with a cap used by travellers.

   “[G]o thou in an hermytage of myn here by⸝ and there ſhalt thow bere with the of my wyn in two flagans of ſiluer⸝ they ar of two galons⸝ and alſo two caſt of brede with fatte veneſon bake and deynte foules⸝ […]”

   “Bring forth your Flaggons (fill'd with sparkling Wine) / Whereon swolne Bacchvs, crowned with a Vine, / Is grauen, and fill out, / It well bestowing, / To eu'ry Man about, / In Goblets flowing: […]”

4. A large bottle for drinks such as beer, cider, or wine; also, a bottle with a cap used by travellers.

   “Three Jolly Coachmen sat, all in an English tavern, Three Jolly Coachmen sat, all in an English tavern, And they decided that, and they decided that, And they decided that: they'd have another flagon.”