I. ˈküpə(r), ˈku̇p- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English couper, cowper, from Middle Dutch cūper (from cūpe cask + -er ) or Middle Low German kūper (from kūpe cask + -er ); Middle Dutch cūpe and Middle Low German kūpe, from Medieval Latin copa, alteration of Latin cupa — more at hive
1.
a. : one that makes or repairs wooden casks or tubs — called also cooperer
b. : a shipboard artisan who repairs casks and other vessels
2. : an English tradesman who samples, bottles, or retails wine
3.
[so called from the daily allotment of stout and porter to coopers at breweries]
: porter and stout in equal parts
II. verb
( coopered ; coopered ; coopering -p(ə)riŋ ; coopers )
transitive verb
1.
a. : to do the work of a cooper on : engage in the manufacture or repair of (barrels or casks) : secure with hoops
b. : to put into proper or presentable shape or form — used with up or out
2. : to pack or stow in casks or barrels
3. : spoil , ruin
the dodge was coopered by the police
4. : to cover holes and cracks inside (a freight car) to prevent leakage of bulk grain
intransitive verb
: to work at or do coopering
III. “, ˈkōp- noun
or cop·er ˈkōp-
( -s )
Etymology: probably modification of Dutch koper buyer, from kopen to buy (from Middle Dutch cōpen ) + -er; akin to Old High German koufōn to buy — more at cheap
: a ship equipped to supply liquor and tobacco to fishing fleets in the North sea in the 19th century