from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Back \Back\, n. [F. bac: cf. Arm. bag, bak a bark, D. bak tray,
bowl.]
1. A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by
brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and
others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot
glue, etc.
[1913 Webster]
{Hop back}, {Jack back}, the cistern which receives the
infusion of malt and hops from the copper.
{Wash back}, a vat in which distillers ferment the wort to
form wash.
{Water back}, a cistern to hold a supply of water; esp. a
small cistern at the back of a stove, or a group of pipes
set in the fire box of a stove or furnace, through which
water circulates and is heated.
[1913 Webster]
2. A ferryboat. See {Bac}, 1.
[1913 Webster]