moonshiner

American  

[moon-shahy-ner] / ˈmunˌʃaɪ nər /

noun

Informal.

1. a person who distills or sells liquor, especially corn liquor, illegally.

2. a person who pursues any illegal trade or activity at night.

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moonshiner British  

/ ˈmuːnˌʃaɪnə /

noun

1. a person who illegally makes or smuggles distilled spirits

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Etymology

Origin of moonshiner

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; moonshine + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Allowing the plants to seed has enabled the survival of the extremely rare Wormwood moonshiner beetle, which eats the seeds.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2021

A federal agent forces a paroled moonshiner called Gator to go undercover in a corrupt county.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2020

An exchange follows between my friend and the moonshiner that reveals some confusion with my question or its translation.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2018

There are a lot of theories about the story behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but it’s unlikely that any of them revolve around a bluegrass band, a debutante, or a renegade moonshiner.

From Time • Dec. 4, 2015

Burton had surprised him time and again, but inventory of these encounters always told the same trite story—the moonshiner had simply melted into absence.

From The Red Debt Echoes from Kentucky by MacDonald, Everett