Pitcher initially dropped a smaller number (4)
I believe the answer is:
ewer
'pitcher' is the definition.
(I know that pitcher can be written as ewer)
'initially dropped a smaller number' is the wordplay.
'initially dropped' means to remove the first letter.
'a smaller number' becomes 'fewer' (I've seen this before).
'fewer' with its initial letter taken away is 'EWER'.
(Other definitions for ewer that I've seen before include "Water jug with wide mouth" , "A wide-lipped jug" , "water-carrier" , "Jar for water" , "from which liquid may be poured" .)