Why is head cheese called so?

Head cheese is called so because it is traditionally made from the head of a pig or calf, along with other parts of the animal, which are cooked down to create a gelatinous meat dish. Despite its name, it is not actually cheese; the term "cheese" refers to the method of pressing and molding the mixture into a solid form. The dish is often sliced and served cold, making it a type of meat jelly or terrine.