Growler Meaning: Definition, Uses & Examples Explained

The word growler carries more weight than most people think. It is not just a container for craft beer — it is a word with at least five distinct meanings, a disputed origin, and a history stretching back to 19th-century America.

Whether you just heard the term at a local brewery, spotted it in a novel, or saw it in a maritime warning, this guide breaks down every meaning clearly. By the end, you will know exactly what a growler is — in every context.

What Does Growler Mean? (Core Definition)

Growler is a noun. It is pronounced /ˈɡraʊlər/. At its core, it refers to any person, animal, or object that growls — that is, makes a low, rumbling, threatening sound.

But the word has grown far beyond that base meaning. Today it covers everything from a refillable beer jug to a floating chunk of ice in the ocean.

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Growler Meaning in American English

In the United States, growler most commonly refers to a 64-ounce glass jug used to carry draft beer from a tap. You will see them at craft breweries, taprooms, and local pubs across the country.

American English also uses the word to describe a grumbling, irritable person — a chronic complainer. Merriam-Webster lists this meaning directly, with synonyms like crank, bear, and mutterer.

Growler Meaning in British English

In British English, growler historically referred to a four-wheeled horse-drawn cab — a type of carriage common in Victorian-era cities. Collins English Dictionary records this usage as a British slang term.

British usage also includes any container used for carrying draught beer — similar to the American sense — and it can refer to a small, drifting iceberg.

How to Pronounce Growler + Part of Speech

Pronunciation: GRAU-ler (rhymes with howler and prowler).

Part of speech: Noun. Plural: growlers. First known use: 1753 (Merriam-Webster). The word is formed from growl + the agent suffix -er, meaning “one that growls.”

All Meanings of Growler — Every Definition Explained

Most sources only cover one or two definitions. Here is the complete picture — every sense of the word growler that appears in major dictionaries including Merriam-Webster, Collins, and Dictionary.com.

Growler in Beer Terminology (Most Common Modern Use)

This is the meaning most Americans know today. A beer growler is a resealable container — typically a glass jug — used to transport draft beer from a brewery or bar tap to your home.

The standard size in the U.S. is 64 ounces (2 quarts). Growlers are commonly used at microbreweries, craft breweries, and taprooms. Many are made from amber-tinted glass to protect the beer from UV rays that can alter the taste.

Growlers can be refilled at the tap and are often sold pre-filled at liquor stores and specialty beer shops.

Growler as a Person or Animal That Growls

This is the original, literal meaning of the word. A growler is any being that produces a low, guttural, threatening sound — a dog warning a stranger, a bear defending its territory, or a person grumbling in discontent.

In everyday speech, calling someone a growler means they are a habitual complainer — moody, grouchy, and hard to please. Synonyms include crab, crank, bear, and mutterer.

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Growler in Nautical Terms — The Iceberg Definition

In maritime and polar contexts, a growler is a small piece of ice that has broken away from a larger iceberg or glacier. These floating ice chunks sit low in the water and are often hard to spot.

Growlers are classified as a navigational hazard for ships. They are smaller than a standard iceberg but large enough to cause serious damage to a vessel. The name likely comes from the rumbling sound the ice makes as it shifts and breaks apart in cold seawater.

The U.S. Coast Guard and international shipping agencies issue growler warnings in polar routes, especially in the North Atlantic.

Growler in British Historical Slang — The Horse-Drawn Carriage

In Victorian Britain, a growler was slang for a four-wheeled horse-drawn cab — a heavier, slower alternative to the two-wheeled hansom cab. It earned its nickname from the rumbling, growling sound its wheels made on cobblestone streets.

Collins English Dictionary records this British usage. The word appears in period literature and historical fiction, often used to depict London street life in the 1800s.

“She turned and piloted him out of the station to where an ancient ‘growler’ waited, its steed dozing in the sunshine.” — H.M.S. ——, John Graham Bower (via Project Gutenberg)

Growler in Electrical Engineering

In electrical and mechanical engineering, a growler is a specialized electromagnetic testing device. It consists of two field poles and is used to:

• Detect short-circuited coils in motor armatures
• Magnetize or demagnetize metal objects
• Test electrical windings for faults

This definition appears in Dictionary.com and Collins and is used by electricians and engineers working with DC motors, generators, and armature windings.

Origin & Etymology of the Word Growler

When Was “Growler” First Used?

According to Merriam-Webster, the first known use of growler was in 1753 — in its base meaning of “one that growls.” Dictionary.com traces the word’s formation to 1745–55, built from the verb growl and the suffix -er.

Why Is a Beer Container Called a Growler? (The Real Story)

The exact origin of the beer-growler name is what Merriam-Webster calls “a delicious mystery.” Several competing theories exist — and none has been definitively proven.

Theory 1: The Sound of Escaping CO₂

The most widely repeated story says that when a covered pail of carbonated beer was carried home, carbon dioxide (CO₂) escaped from under the lid, causing a rumbling, growling sound. Plausible — but no etymological evidence confirms it.

Theory 2: The Grumbling Customer

Some historians believe it referred to the disgruntled customer who felt shortchanged by a bartender who poured too much foam instead of beer, leaving the container less than full — and leaving the buyer growling in frustration.

Theory 3: The Reluctant Errand Boy

In 19th-century America, children were often sent to fetch beer from the local tavern or public house. The growling — real or metaphorical — came from a child sent out against their will.

Theory 4: Post-Consumption Moodiness

Some accounts suggest that after draining a full growler, a person might become irritable and growl at those around them — hence the name.

All four theories involve a growling sound or growling behavior — which strongly suggests the word is of imitative origin. But who used it first, and in exactly what context, remains unknown.

“Rushing the Growler” — The Forgotten 19th-Century Phrase

What almost no competing article covers is the phrase “rush the growler” — a popular expression in 19th-century America during the Temperance Movement.

To “rush the growler” meant to quickly fetch a pail of beer from a bar or tavern for consumption elsewhere. The verb rush reflected the speed required — getting the beer home before it lost its carbonation.

A related phrase, “working the growler,” described the same errand, often done by children fetching beer for adults. Both terms grew in use precisely because the Temperance Movement was trying to abolish alcohol — these phrases became part of the resistance vocabulary.

“Experience has demonstrated that a very diminutive boy can, in the small hours of the morning, ‘rush’ a particularly large ‘growler’…” — The Reason: A Journal of Prohibition, March 1886

Real-World Examples of Growler Used in a Sentence

Example Sentences for the Beer Meaning

The beer growler sense is the most common in modern American writing:

• “Try takeout burgers from Big River Grill or fill a growler at the 16-tap Red Bluff Tap House.” — Seattle Times
• “This handmade ceramic growler is similar to the one she uses.” — Slate
• “Made from amber-colored glass that actually protects your beer from UV rays, the growler includes a metal cap and is dishwasher-safe.” — Variety

Example Sentences for the Growling Person/Animal Meaning

These sentences show the original, behavioral sense in action:

• “Darwin was a sassy, independent beagle, occasional growler and regular howler who loved road trips.” — Washington Post
• “At Tuesday’s performance, this 70-year-old Texan growler performed his second tribute to Frank Sinatra.” — New York Times (referring to a gravelly-voiced singer)

Example Sentences for Nautical & Other Meanings

• “The ship’s navigator issued a warning after radar detected a growler drifting off the starboard bow.” (nautical / iceberg use)
• “She turned and piloted him out of the station to where an ancient ‘growler’ waited, its steed dozing in the sunshine.” — H.M.S. ——, Bower (horse-drawn carriage use)
• “The technician used a growler to test the armature for short-circuited coils before reassembling the motor.” (electrical engineering use)

Growler vs. Howler — What’s the Difference?

This is a comparison most dictionary sites and competitors skip entirely — yet it is one of the most searched questions among craft beer enthusiasts and brewery visitors.

Size Comparison: Growler (64 oz) vs. Howler (32 oz)

The howler is simply a half-growler. It holds 32 ounces (1 quart) of draft beer — exactly half the size of a standard growler. Its name follows the same logic: a howl is bigger and louder than a growl, but the howler container is the smaller of the two — the naming is playful and inversely humorous.

Which One Should You Use? (Practical Guide for Beer Lovers)

Choose a growler when you are buying beer for a gathering or want a full session’s worth from a single tap style. Choose a howler when you want to sample a smaller amount — especially if you are trying multiple varieties or drinking alone.

Most craft breweries and taprooms in the U.S. now offer both options. Some even allow you to bring your own clean, properly sealed container for refilling.

FAQs

What is the meaning of the word growler?

A growler is a noun with multiple meanings. It can refer to a person or animal that growls, a 64-oz beer container used to carry draft beer from a tap, a small drifting iceberg, a Victorian-era horse-drawn carriage, or an electromagnetic testing device used in electrical engineering.

What does growler mean in English?

In general English, growler means “one that growls” — an agent noun formed from the verb growl plus the suffix -er. In American English, the most common modern use refers to a refillable beer jug. In British English, the word has historically referred to a four-wheeled carriage and a beer container.

What is a growler in beer terminology?

In beer terminology, a growler is a resealable, refillable container — most often a 64-ounce glass jug — used to carry draft beer from a tap at a brewery, taproom, or pub. It is a staple of the craft beer culture in the United States. Amber glass is commonly used to block UV light and preserve the beer’s flavor.

Why is it called a growler?

The exact origin is disputed. The leading theories suggest the name comes from the growling sound of CO₂ escaping from a covered pail of beer, the grumbling of impatient customers, or children who “rushed the growler” — fetching beer from bars unwillingly. The word is believed to be of imitative origin, but no single theory has been confirmed.

What is the origin of the word growler?

The word growler was first recorded in 1753 (Merriam-Webster), formed from growl + -er. Its application to a beer container became common in 19th-century America during the Temperance Movement, when phrases like “rush the growler” described the act of fetching beer from a tavern.

Conclusion

The word growler is richer than it appears. It spans five distinct definitions — a beer container, a grumbling person, a drifting iceberg, a Victorian carriage, and an electrical testing tool.

In modern American use, the beer growler dominates — fueled by the rise of craft breweries and local taproom culture. But knowing the full history, from “rushing the growler” in 1880s America to a navigational hazard in polar shipping lanes, gives the word the depth it deserves.

Next time you fill a 64-oz jug at your local microbrewery, you will know there is a whole world of meaning packed into that one small word.