backgammon \back"gam`mon\, n. [Origin unknown; perhaps fr. Dan.
   bakke tray + E. game; or very likely the first part is from
   E. back, adv., and the game is so called because the men are
   often set back.]
   A game of chance and skill, played by two persons on a
   "board" marked off into twenty-four spaces called "points".
   Each player has fifteen pieces, or "men", the movements of
   which from point to point are determined by throwing dice.
   Formerly called {tables}.
   
[1913 Webster]


   {backgammon board}, a board for playing backgammon, often
      made in the form of two rectangular trays hinged together,
      each tray containing two "tables".
      
[1913 Webster]

backgammon \back`gam"mon\, v. t.
   In the game of backgammon, to beat by ending the game before
   the loser is clear of his first "table". When played for
   betting purposes, the winner in such a case scores three
   times the wagered amount.
   [1913 Webster +PJC]