booze

Where does the word "booze" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch busen, passing through Middle English before entering English (1700s).

Booze’s story begins in Middle Dutch: busen meant “to drink heavily.” Possibly related to 'buise', a drinking vessel. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as bouse. Picked up through trade with Low Countries merchants and sailors. It reached English by 1700s as booze. Survived as thieves' cant and slang, then spread into informal speech everywhere. Today, booze means alcoholic drink.

1. Stage 1 · Middle Dutch · medieval busen "to drink heavily", possibly related to 'buise', a drinking vessel.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s bouse "to drink deeply", picked up through trade with Low Countries merchants and sailors.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1700s booze "alcoholic drink", survived as thieves' cant and slang, then spread into informal speech everywhere.