/ ˈfɜːkɪn; NAmE ˈfɜːrkɪn/ noun ( old use )
1.
a small barrel (= a round container with flat ends) , used mainly for liquids, butter or fish
2.
a unit for measuring volume, equal to about 41 litres
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English ferdekyn , probably from the Middle Dutch diminutive of vierde fourth (a firkin originally contained a quarter of a barrel).