Also 8 stekan, stakan, 89 steekan, steckan, 9 stechkanne. [Du. steekkan, f. steke-n to broach, tap (= STEEK v.2) + kan CAN sb.] A Dutch liquid measure containing half an anker or about 51/8 gallons English measure.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Measure 517/1. Dutch Liquid Measures . The Mingle is divided into two Pints . The Stekan, or Stekamen, contains sixteen Mingles.
1753. Stakan [see ANKER 1].
1797. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), X. 718/2. The aume is reckoned at Amsterdam for 8 steckans.
1834. McCulloch, Dict. Comm. (ed. 2), 34. s.v. Amsterdam, The aam liquid measure = 4 ankers = 8 steckans.
184754. in Webster; and in some later Dicts.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Steekkan, Stechkanne, a Dutch liquid-measure, the 12th part of a barrel.