pressure cooker

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. An airtight metal pot that uses steam under pressure at high temperature to cook food quickly.
2. n. Informal A situation or an atmosphere of difficulty, stress, or anxiety: "placing children into social, educational pressure cookers” ( Fred M. Hechinger).

Wiktionary

1. n. A sealed cooking vessel that allows cooking in greater than atmospheric pressure and at a temperature above the boiling point of water.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. a pot with a lid which may be tightly bound to the bottom part, forming a vessel which can withstand some gas pressure from within. It is used to heat foods in water or steam to a temperature somewhat above the boiling point of water, allowing the cooking process to be accomplished more quickly than otherwise.
2. Fig., a situation involving intense psychological pressure due to multiple urgent demands, as in certain job situations.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. autoclave for cooking at temperatures above the boiling point of water