Demijohn

a bottle or jug inclosed in wickerwork for safety in handling. The most satisfactory explanation of the origin of the term is that it is a corruption of Damagan, the name of a Persian town where glass demijohns were originally made for the safe carriage of precious essences and cordials in the caravan trade. The demijohn may be of glass or of earthenware, and is made in sizes from a half pint to five gallons. The less the capacity the more precious the contents, and the finer the handiwork of the wicker covering. The term is associated in the public mind with ardent spirits, as a demijohn of whiskey; but in the trade, perfumery, essences, extracts, mercury, expensive drugs, and many other costly liquids, as well as liquors, etc., are imported or shipped in demijohns. In place of wicker protection, American shippers of acids and similar chemicals in bulk use the carboy, which consists of a large bottle packed in a wooden box or case. See Bottle; Glass