Etymology Dictionary

VAT,  a large vessel for liquors.  (E.)   M.E. fat.   'Fate, vesselle;' Prompt. Parv.   Palsgrave has fatte; and the A.V. of the Bible has fats (Joel, ii. 24) and wine-fat (Mark, xii. 1).   The difference between the words fat and vat is one of dialect; vat is Southern English, prob. Kentish.   The use of v for f is common in Devonshire, Somersetshire, and in old Kentish; the connection of the word with Kent is obvious, viz. through the brewing trade; cf. vane, vetch.—A.S. fæt (pl. fatu), a vessel, cask; Mark, iv. 27. + Du. vat. + Icel. fat. + Dan. fad. + Swed. fat. + G. fass; M.H.G. vaz.   β. All from the Teut. type FATA, a vat, barrel; Fick, iii. 171.   From the Teut. base FAT, to catch, take, seize, comprehend, contain; cf. Du. vatten, to catch, take, contain, G. fassen, to seize, also to contain; so that the sense is 'that which contains.'   Cognate with Lithuan. půdas, a pot.—✔PAD, to go; also to seize; see Fetch, and Fit (1).   Der. wine-fat or wine-vat.