Was"sail (?), n. [AS. wes hal (or an equivalent form in another dialect) be in health, which was the form of drinking a health. The form wes is imperative. See Was, and Whole.]
1.
An ancient expression of good wishes on a festive occasion, especially in drinking to some one.
Geoffrey of Monmouth relates, on the authority of Walter Calenius, that this lady [Rowena], the daughter of Hengist, knelt down on the approach of the king, and, presenting him with a cup of wine, exclaimed, Lord king waes heil, that is, literally, Health be to you.
N. Drake.
2.
An occasion on which such good wishes are expressed in drinking; a drinking bout; a carouse.
"In merry
wassail he . . . peals his loud song."
Sir W. Scott.
The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,
Keeps wassail.
Shak.
The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and wassail.
Prescott.
3.
The liquor used for a wassail; esp., a beverage formerly much used in England at Christmas and other festivals, made of ale (or wine) flavored with spices, sugar, toast, roasted apples, etc.; -- called also lamb's wool.
A jolly wassail bowl,
A wassail of good ale.
Old Song.
4.
A festive or drinking song or glee.
[Obs.]
Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy ditty, I'll assure you.
Beau. & Fl.
© Webster 1913.
Was"sail, a.
Of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial; as, a wassail bowl.
"A
wassail candle, my lord, all tallow."
Shak.
Wassail bowl, a bowl in which wassail was mixed, and placed upon the table. "Spiced wassail bowl." J. Fletcher. "When the cloth was removed, the butler brought in a huge silver vessel . . . Its appearance was hailed with acclamation, being the wassail bowl so renowned in Christmas festivity." W. Irving. -- Wassail cup, a cup from which wassail was drunk.
© Webster 1913.
Was"sail, v. i.
To hold a wassail; to carouse.
Spending all the day, and good part of the night, in dancing, caroling, and wassailing.
Sir P. Sidney.
© Webster 1913.