noun
- Plural of cowlstave; wooden staves or strips that form the sides of a cowl (a large tub or barrel used for carrying liquids or goods).
Usage: archaic; historical; chiefly British
Examples
- The cooper carefully fitted the cowlstaves together to form a watertight container.
- Medieval merchants transported wine in vessels made from tightly bound cowlstaves.
- The damaged cowlstaves were replaced before the barrel could be used again.