alcarrazan.
/alkəˈrɑːzə/, U.S. /ælkəˈrɑzə/ Chiefly in Spain and Spanish-speaking regions: a porous earthenware vessel used for cooling water by evaporation from its outer surface.
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1791 J. Townsend Journey Spain III. 32 I took notice of some blue marly clay, of which are made the earthen jugs, called bucaros and alcarrazas, used in this part of Spain for cooling water.
1818 Encycl. Brit. Suppl. III. 257 The Moors introduced into Spain a sort of unglazed earthen jugs named..alcarrazas.
1871 B. Stewart Heat (ed. 2) §118 In hot climates porous vessels called Alcarazas are used for cooling water.
1911 C. F. Horne tr. J. Verne Off on Comet vii, in Wks. Jules Verne IX. 30 The stove was ready for use, the copper skillet was as bright as hands could make it, and the beads of condensed steam upon the surface of a large stone alcaraza gave evidence that it was supplied with water.
1956 O. Welles Mr. Arkadin ii. viii. 76 She gave me a clean towel and a glass of water that had the earthy taste of alcarazas.
1996 M. Morton Cupboard Love 19 The same principle cools water in the Arabic vessel known as the alcarraza, a pitcher made of porous earthenware.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1791