Origin and history of vessel

c. 1300, "small, portable, ornamental or functional container," from a dish to a cask, for holding liquor or other things, from Old French vessel "container, receptacle, barrel; ship" (12c., Modern French vaisseau) from Late Latin vascellum "small vase or urn," also "a ship," alteration of Latin vasculum, diminutive of vas "vessel."

The sense of "ship, large watercraft" is found in English from early 14c. "The association between hollow utensils and boats appears in all languages" [Weekley]. The anatomical meaning "canal or duct of the body" (especially for carrying blood) is attested from late 14c. From early 14c. of a person regarded as a recipient or bearer of some abstract quality.