high wine

Hist.

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

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(usually plural)

spiritous liquor, specifically a mixture of alcohol and flavored water, widely traded to the Indians by fur traders.

Quotations

1794

They carry on Dog Sledges, 5 Kegs High Wines. . . .

1872

Whisky, alcohol, high wine, and poison, which . . . mean death to the Indian.

1883

Highwines diluted with water, and then charged with the oil of vitriol to disguise the water, was the only, and continuous drink.

1957

"Mucha high wine," he said, using Alexander Henry's term for it "Firewater."