billies Definition

billy¹
billycan
noun

(Brit & especially Austral)
billies, billycans
1. A metal container with a lid and wire handle, used for carrying and boiling water in, cooking in, or eating and drinking from, especially when camping.

Idiom: boil the billy

(ustral)
colloq
To make a pot (or cup, etc) of tea; to take a break for food and drink.

Etymology: 19c: probably from Scottish and Northern English dialect billypot, and billy a comrade or mate, rather than from Australian Aboriginal billa water or creek.