cowlstaff
noun
cowl·staff ˈkōl-ˌstaf 
ˈkau̇(-ə)l-,
ˈkül-
archaic
: a staff from which a vessel is suspended and carried between two persons
Word History
Etymology
Middle English cuvelstaff, from cuvel vessel (from Old English cūfel, ultimately from Late Latin cupella, diminutive of Latin cūpa tub) + staff entry 1 — more at hive
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined above