Mortar

A mortar is also called mortar because it resembles an old battlefield weapon. It is a bronze cup for grinding certain substances. Mortars are also used to make a lick jar. You know the rhyme:

To bed, to bed, said Thumbelot;
First some food, said Likkepot;
Where shall I get it? asked Langelot;
From grandfather's cupboard, said Ringeling;
I'll give that away, said Little Thing.

A Likkepot was a medicine mixed with syrup against the foul taste. We still call someone who sweets a lot a lickspittle.