punch-housen.
/ˈpʌn(t)ʃhaʊs/, U.S. /ˈpən(t)ʃˌ(h)aʊs/ Now historical.
An inn or tavern where punch is served; esp. (in India) one frequented by sailors.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > drinking place > [noun] > tavern or public house > house providing other drinks
mead-inn1632
punch-house1661
gin house?1720
gin shop1723
thermopolion1753
whisky-house1767
spirit house1807
1661 in G. W. Forrest Select. Lett. Bombay Secretariat Home Ser. (1887) I. 189 Another examination of a Persee, who kept a Punch house, where the murder was committed.
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. vii. 130 At his Return to Achin he constantly frequented an English Punch-house, spending his Gold very freely.
1727 A. Hamilton New Acct. E. Indies I. xxiv. 298 The English have Punch-houses, where the European Soldiers make Oblations to Bacchus.
1769 J. Wedgwood Let. 11 Feb. in Sel. Lett. (1965) 70 I am going to Griffiths American punch house.
a1805 A. Carlyle Autobiogr. (1860) 307 A company of seven or eight, all clergymen, supped at a punch-house in the Bow, kept by an old servant of his.
1859 J. W. Palmer New & Old (Cassell's) 264 Sailors, British and American, Malay and Lascar, [belong] to Flag Street, the quarter of punch-houses.
1993 B. Mukherjee Holder of World (1994) 204 They were to get in touch with Count Attila Csycsyry at his punch house, and he'd billet them in safe huts until enough of Nawab's men could be bought to look the other way.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1661