Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

pulque

[poo l-kee; Spanish pool-ke]
noun
  1. a fermented milky drink made from the juice of certain species of agave in Mexico.
Show More

Origin of pulque

Borrowed into English from Mexican Spanish around 1685–95
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for pulque

Historical Examples

  • A somewhat peculiar effect of pulque drinking was also mentioned to us.

    Aztec Land

    Maturin M. Ballou

  • This was over a pulque shop, which seemed to be appropriately designated.

    Aztec Land

    Maturin M. Ballou

  • And why is it "hardly supposable" that pulque was used at dinner?

  • The fruit also, when expressed, affords the refreshing drink "pulque."

    The Sailor's Word-Book

    William Henry Smyth

  • The Mexicans have a legend about the origin of their pulque.

    On the Mexican Highlands

    William Seymour Edwards

British Dictionary definitions for pulque

pulque

noun
  1. a light alcoholic drink from Mexico made from the juice of various agave plants, esp the maguey
Show More

Word Origin

C17: from Mexican Spanish, apparently from Nahuatl, from puliuhqui decomposed, since it will only keep for a day
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for pulque

n.

1690s, from American Spanish pulque, of unknown origin, said to be a word from Araucanian (native language spoken in part of Chile), or else from some language of Mexico.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper