quaff
[ kwof, kwaf, kwawf ]
/ kwɒf, kwæf, kwɔf /
verb (used without object)
to drink a beverage, especially an intoxicating one, copiously and with hearty enjoyment.
verb (used with object)
to drink (a beverage) copiously and heartily: We spent the whole evening quaffing ale.
noun
an act or instance of quaffing.
a beverage quaffed.
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Nearby words
Origin of quaff
First recorded in 1515–25; origin uncertain
Related formsquaff·er, nounout·quaff, verb (used with object)un·quaffed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for quaff
British Dictionary definitions for quaff
quaff
/ (kwɒf, kwɑːf) /
verb
to drink heartily or in one draught
Derived Formsquaffable, adjectivequaffer, noun
Word Origin for quaff
C16: perhaps of imitative origin; compare Middle Low German quassen to eat or drink excessively
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for quaff
quaff
1510s (implied in quaffer), perhaps imitative, or perhaps from Low German quassen "to overindulge (in food and drink)," with -ss- misread as -ff-. Related: Quaffed; quaffing. The noun is attested by 1570s, from the verb.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper