pail

Meaning

Noun

• A vessel of wood, tin, plastic, etc., usually cylindrical and having a handle -- used especially for carrying liquids, for example water or milk; a bucket (sometimes with a cover).
• (In technical use) A closed (covered) cylindrical shipping container.

Origin

• From Middle English payle, of uncertain origin.
• Possibly from Old English pæġel, from Proto-Germanic *pagilaz, equivalent to peg + -le. Compare Middle Dutch pegel, Danish pægl.
• Alternatively from Old French paielle, from Latin patella.