IPA: /ˈvætfəl/
KK: /ˈvætfəl/
The amount that a vat can contain, or enough to fill a vat.
The recipe called for a vatful of ingredients to make the large batch of soup.
The word 'vatful' is formed from 'vat' (from Old English 'fæt', meaning a container or vessel) and '-ful' (meaning full of). Thus, 'vatful' means full of a vat or container.
Think of a 'vat' as a large container and remember that 'vatful' means it is full of something.