flagon

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)

noun

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.
   1. A flagon and its contents; as much as fills such a vessel.
2. (archaic) A large bottle for drinks such as beer, cider, or wine; also, a bottle with a cap used by travellers.
   1. The amount that such a bottle holds, about 1.13 litres.