hoochinoo

or hoot·chi·noo

[ hoo-chuh-noo, hoo-chuh-noo ]

noun

, plural hoo·chi·noos.

1. a type of distilled liquor made by Alaskan Indians.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoochinoo¹

1875–80, Americanism; originally the name of a Tlingit village on Admiralty Island, Alaska, reputed to be a source of illicit liquor; alteration of Tlingit xucnu·wú literally, brown bear's fort ( xú·c brown bear + nu·w fortified place)

Example Sentences

Annahootz and Katlean both figured boldly in the history of the town, and Sitka Jack was noted for his great potlatch held in 1877, when he gave a housewarming at which he presented to his visitors over 500 blankets, not to mention the hoochinoo and whiskey which flowed liberally for all.

From Project Gutenberg

The dealers who traded molasses to the Indians, from which the villainous liquor called “hoochinoo” or “Hooch,” was distilled, objected to the ordinances restricting the trade.

From Project Gutenberg

In his hut on the other side of the Island he could, undetected, heat the fermented mash in a can, attach the piece of kelp to the top and immerse it in cold water until the condensed steam came out at the other end in the form of Thlinget hoochinoo.

From Project Gutenberg