Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LAST, n. [Sax. hlæste; G. Sw. D. and Dan. last; Russ. laste; Fr. lest; Arm. lastr; W. llwyth. See Load.]

A load; hence, a certain weight or measure. A last of codfish, white herrings, meal, and ashes, is twelve barrels; a last of corn is ten quarters or eighty bushels; of gunpowder, twenty-four barrels; of red herrings, twenty cades; of hides, twelve dozen; of leather, twenty dickers; of pith and tar, fourteen barrels; of wool, twelve sacks; of flax or feathers, 1700 lbs. – Encyc.