bootleg

[boot-leg]

noun

1. alcoholic liquor unlawfully made, sold, or transported, without registration or payment of taxes.

2. the part of a boot that covers the leg.

3. something, as a recording, made, reproduced, or sold illegally or without authorization.

   a flurry of bootlegs to cash in on the rock star's death.

verb (used with object)

bootlegged, bootlegging 

1. to deal in (liquor or other goods) unlawfully.

verb (used without object)

bootlegged, bootlegging 

1. to make, transport, or sell something, especially liquor, illegally or without registration or payment of taxes.

adjective

1. made, sold, or transported unlawfully.

2. illegal or clandestine.

3. of or relating to bootlegging.

bootleg

/ ˈbuːtˌlɛɡ /

verb

1. to make, carry, or sell (illicit goods, esp alcohol)

noun

1. something made or sold illicitly, such as alcohol during Prohibition in the US

2. an illegally made copy of a CD, tape, etc

adjective

1. produced, distributed, or sold illicitly

   bootleg whisky

   bootleg tapes

Other Word Forms

• bootlegger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bootleg¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1625–35; boot ¹ + leg; secondary senses arose from practice of hiding a liquor bottle in the leg of one's boot

Word History and Origins

Origin of bootleg¹

C17: see _boot ¹ , _leg ; from the practice of smugglers of carrying bottles of liquor concealed in their boots

Example Sentences

His strengths are his mobility, being able to throw on the run, and finding different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs.

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He could throw across his body on a bootleg.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Lined at the entrance were tents stuffed with bootleg tour merch and fans seeking respite from the water.

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The highest amount paid for a rare bootleg copy of the 45 record containing the catchy single “She’s So Naive” and “Here Come the Earwigs” was sold on Discogs for about $500.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

We have made a lot of experimental moves with the way we’ve released records — bootlegging stuff for free.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contraband 
• illicit 
• pirated www.thesaurus.com
• smuggled www.thesaurus.com
• unauthorized