Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - cooper

 I. biographical name Anthony Ashley — see Shaftesbury  II. biographical name James Fenimore 1789-1851 American novelist  III. biographical name Leon N. 1930- American physicist  IV. biographical name Peter 1791-1883 American manufacturer & philanthropist COOPER  I. noun  Etymology: Middle English couper, cowper, from Middle Dutch cuper (from cupe cask) or Middle Low German kuper, from kupe cask; Middle Dutch cupe & Middle Low German kupe, from Latin cupa; akin to Greek kypellon cup — more at hive  Date: 14th century one that makes or repairs wooden casks or tubs  II. verb  (~ed; ~ing)  Date: 1720  transitive verb to work as a ~ on  intransitive verb to work at or do ~ing