booze
UK[buːz]US[buːz]
n
Alcoholic drink
v
To drink alcohol, especially in large quantities
Etymology
The word 'booze' entered English in the 14th century from the Middle Dutch verb 'būsen', which meant "to drink heavily." Its ultimate origin is uncertain, though it may be linked to the Old High German 'būs', meaning "swelling," metaphorically connecting to the physical effects of overindulgence. The term was solidified in English slang and later became a standard informal term for alcohol. Its journey reflects a common pattern where a specific, vivid action from a donor language evolves into a broad, nominalized concept in English.
Analysis
The word is a simplex form. It is a loanword from Middle Dutch 'būsen', meaning "to drink to excess."
Examples
He smuggled a bottle of booze into the party.
They spent the whole weekend boozing and watching football.
The police confiscated all the booze from the underage gathering.