Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FAT, or VAT, n.² [Sax. fæt, fat, fet; D. vat; G. fass; Sw. fat; Dan. fad. It seems to be connected with D. vatten, G. fassen, Sw. fatta, Dan. fatter, to hold. Qu. Gr. πιθος.]

A large tub cistern or vessel used for various purposes, as by brewers to run their wort in, by tanners for holding their bark and hides, &c. It is also a wooden vessel containing a quarter or eight bushels of grain, and a pan for containing water in salt-works, as a vessel for wine, &c. The fats shall overflow with wine and oil. Joel ii.