Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US gambling) a kitty, a ‘pot’.

1903

A. Adams Log of a Cowboy 260: He was the first one to suggest we made up a ‘cow’ and let him try his luck at monte [...] I willingly consented and contributed my five to the general fund. [Ibid.] 385: We [...] made up a cow by putting in five apiece and had Officer play it on faro.