fercŭlum (or uncontr. fĕrĭcŭlum, Sen. Ep. 90, 15; 122, 3 al.), i, n. [fero], that on which any thing is carried or borne.
I A frame , a barrow , litter , bier for carrying the spoils, the images of the gods, etc., in public processions: spolia ducis hostium caesi suspensa fabricato ad id apte ferculo gerens in Capitolium ascendit, Liv. 1, 10, 5; Suet. Caes. 37; id. Calig. 15: (Caesar) tensam et ferculum Circensi pompa, etc. (recepit), id. Caes. 76: ut pomparum ferculis similes esse videamur, * Cic. Off. 1, 36, 131.—
II A dish on which food is served; and hence a dish or mess of food , a course (perh. not anteAug.; cf.: epulum, daps, commissatio; merenda, prandium, etc.): ubi multa de magna superessent fercula cena, Hor. S. 2, 6, 104: cenae fercula nostrae Malim convivis quam placuisse cocis, Mart. 9, 82; so Petr. 35; 36; Suet. Aug. 74; Plin. 33, 10, 47, § 136; Juv. 1, 94; 7, 184; 11, 64.