petcock

pet·cock

P0219100 (pĕt′kŏk′)n. A small valve or faucet used to drain or reduce pressure, as from a boiler.

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[Perhaps pet + cock.]

petcock

(ˈpɛtˌkɒk) n (Mechanical Engineering) a small valve for checking the water level in a steam boiler or draining condensed steam from the cylinder of a steam engine[C19: from pet¹ or perhaps French pet, from péter to break wind + cock¹]

pet•cock

(ˈpɛtˌkɒk)

n. a small valve or faucet, as for draining off excess or waste material from the cylinder of an internal-combustion engine. [1860–65; pet, perhaps < French pet (see petard) + cock¹]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

petcock - regulator consisting of a small cock or faucet or valve for letting out air or releasing compression or drainingregulator - any of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.