What does the government term cabinet mean?

U.S. Grant had 7 secretaries at the time of his presidency. He also had a table made (currently in use as a home-office desk for the president in the White House - 2nd floor) with 7 cabinets (drawers). After meetings, the secretaries would leave their important documents in the cabinets for the next day.... The secretaries term was "shortened" to cabinets. Grant also added an 8th secretary - that person didn't have a cabinet at the time. (They should have called the cabinets - drawers.)