Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COL'AN-DER, n. [L. colo, to strain; Fr. couler; to flow, to trickle down; coulant, flowing; couloir, a colander.]

A vessel with a bottom perforated with little holes for straining liquors. In America, this name is given, I believe, exclusively to a vessel of tin, or other metal. In Great Britain, the name is given to vessels, like sieves, made with hair, osiers or twigs. – May. Ray. Dryden.