low winen.
/ˌləʊ ˈwʌɪn/, U.S. /ˈloʊ ˈwaɪn/ Originally: †a drink of low alcoholic content (obsolete). Since the 17th cent.: a distillate of modest alcoholic content, from fermented grain, fruit, or other source of sugar; spec. the first liquid that is collected in the course of a distillation or series of distillations, which is typically further distilled into whisky or similar strong liquor (frequently in plural). Cf. small adj. 14a, faints n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > distilled drink > [noun] > first spirit of distillation
low wine1526
singling1830
1526 Treasure of Pore Men f. xxxiiv If ye haue the Menason take cresses & ete them iii dayes & drynke thereto lowe wyne or water.
1639 Distiller of London 17 No Small-spirits or Low-wines shall henceforth be distilled..but only such, as..may be produced in quantity.
1651 J. French Art Distillation i. 26 There will come forth a weak Spirit, which is called low Wine.
1696 W. Salmon Family-dict. (ed. 2) 20/2 This Spirit is called Low Wine... Distil it a second time, which is called Rectification, in which it may be brought into Proof-Spirit.
1701 London Gaz. No. 2717/1 An Act for Granting to His Majesty several Duties upon Low-Wines or Spirits of the first Extraction.
1790 A. Wilson Poems 91 Whauks o' gude ait-far'le cowins, Synt down wi' whey, or whisky lowins.
1820 Broderip & Bingham's Rep. I. 436 Terry v. Huntington, when the commissioners determined low wines to be strong waters.
1850 Mechanics' Mag. 5 Oct. 278/1 The second receiver should contain a quantity of fresh spring or rain-water equal to the low wine in the first.
1930 Jrnl. Mod. Hist. 2 389 They protested vigorously against a heavy tax on low wines and spirits.
2004 C. P. Shaw Whisky (new ed.) 28 The distillate, now called low wines, is passed into the second still.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1526