Forms: 6–9 canni-, cani-, 7 canna-, 9 canakin. [dim. f. CAN sb.1: cf. Du. kanneken, Eng. mannikin, pannikin, and see -KIN.] A small can or drinking vessel.
1570. Leg. Bp. St. Andrew, in Sc. Poems 16th C., 18. 313 (Jam.). Carruse, and hald the cannikin klynclene.
1604. Shaks., Oth., II. iii. 71.
| And let me the Cannakin clinke, clinke: | |
| And let me the Cannakin clinke. | |
| A Souldiers a man: Oh, mans life’s but a span, | |
| Why then let a Souldier drinke. |
[1658. Hexham, Du. Dict., Kanneken, a small Canne, Pot, or Cruse.]
1764. Gentl. Mag., XXXIV. 89. And clink the cannikin here below.
1845. Browning, Flight Duchess, xvi. 1. When the liquor’s out why clink the cannikin?
1849. Blackw. Mag., LXVI. 570. With a canikin of rum.
b. slang. (see quots.)
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. iii. § 68. Cannikin, the Plague.
1690. in B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew.
