A barrel or cask's a hollow cylindrical container, traditionally made of staves (curved wooden members) and bound with iron hoops or rope. The term "barrel" typically refers to wooden vessels that're small enough to be moved by hand, up to puncheon size (see below). Someone who makes such (wooden, iron-bound) barrels's known as a cooper. Contemporary barrels are also made of aluminium and plastic. History In Europe in ancient times liquids like oil and wine were carried in vessels, for instance… (More on Barrel)