Origin of the term Pickle

[clarkei]

Origin
From Shakespeare's The Tempest.

ALONSO And Trinculo is reeling ripe: where should they
Find this grand liquor that hath gilded 'em?
How camest thou in this pickle?

TRINCULO I have been in such a pickle since I
saw you last that, I fear me, will never out of
my bones: I shall not fear fly-blowing.


(from a British phrase finding site)

Ian Clarke