Naut. [Commonly believed to be a corruption of Sp. bareca or barrica; cf. BARECA, BARRICO.] A small keg or cask.
1833. Marryat, P. Simple, xxxiii. A breaker or two (that is, small casks holding about seven gallons each) of water was put into each boat. Ibid. (1835), Jac. Faithf., xx. The purser sent a breaker of spirits on shore.
1875. Bedford, Sailor’s Pocket Bk., vi. (ed. 2), 227. They will be found very useful for carrying both provisions and water, and stow better than breakers.
