bog butter

[ bog buht-er, bawg ]

noun

, Irish, Scots.

1. an ancient, waxy substance made of dairy or animal fat, usually contained in a bucket, barrel, or other wooden container, found buried in peat bogs, as evidence of a method of food preservation believed to have been practiced from the 16th century b.c. to the 17th century a.d.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bog butter¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Specimens of bog butter are still preserved, and may be found in the collection of the Royal Irish Academy.

From Project Gutenberg

Hatchettine or rock-fat is sometimes called adipocere; and bog-butter is a substance nearly similar to it.

From Project Gutenberg

He hoped it might be full of gold, but it only contained bog butter, which he used for greasing cart-wheels.

From Project Gutenberg