puncheon1

[puhn-chuh n] /ˈpʌn tʃən/
noun
1.
a large cask of varying capacity, but usually 80 gallons (304 liters).
2.
the volume of such a cask, used as a measure.
Origin
1425-75; Middle English ponchoun, punchon < Middle French ponçon, perhaps to be identified with puncheon2

puncheon2

[puhn-chuh n] /ˈpʌn tʃən/
noun
1.
a heavy slab of timber, roughly dressed, for use as a floorboard.
2.
a short, upright framing timber.
3.
  1. any of various pointed instruments; a punch.
  2. a stamping tool.
Origin
1325-75; Middle English ponson, punçon, ponchoun < Middle French ponçon < Latin pūnctiōn- (stem of pūnctiō) a pricking, hence, pricking tool, equivalent to pūnct(us) (past participle of pungere to prick; cf. point) + -iōn- -ion
Examples from the web for puncheon
  • puncheon that is slightly elevated is termed surface puncheon.
  • puncheon that is slightly elevated is termed standard puncheon.
  • Tiny lakes are skirted by a puncheon bridge walkway and surrounded by blueberry bushes that turn a blazing scarlet in autumn.
  • We built a log house which had two large rooms and a shed, with puncheon-floor and clap board roof, fastened with peg fasteners.
  • They made puncheon floors for the fort cabins of logs split in the middle and placed with the rounded sides down.
  • Tread is also the travel surface on structures such as turnpikes and puncheon.
  • The existing pews are simple, straight back pews converted from puncheon benches.
British Dictionary definitions for puncheon

puncheon1

/ˈpʌntʃən/
noun
1.
a large cask of variable capacity, usually between 70 and 120 gallons
2.
the volume of such a cask used as a liquid measure
Word Origin
C15 poncion, from Old French ponchon, of uncertain origin

puncheon2

/ˈpʌntʃən/
noun
1.
a short wooden post that is used as a vertical strut
2.
a less common name for punch2 (sense 1)
Word Origin
C14 ponson, from Old French ponçon, from Latin punctiō a puncture, from pungere to prick
Word Origin and History for puncheon
n.

"barrel or cask for soap or liquor; iron vessel," c.1400, from Old French ponchon, ponson "wine vessel" (13c.), of unknown origin. Uncertain connection with puncheon "slab of timber, strut, wooden beam used as a support in building" (mid-14c.). Punch (n.2) in the drink sense is too late to be the source of the "cask" sense.

"pointed tool for punching or piercing" used by masons, also "die for coining or seal-making," mid-14c.; see punch (n.1). Meaning "stamp, die" is from c.1500, a specialized use.