E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cooper.
A coop for wine bottles. The bottles lie in a slanting position in the coop, and may be transported in it from place to place. We find allusions to “six-bottle coopers” not unfrequently, i.e. coops or cases containing six bottles. Compare “hen-coops,” “cooped up,” etc. (Latin, cupa, a cask; our “cup.”)
