Also booza, bouza, boosa. [Turkish bōza ‘a kind of thick white drink made of millet fermented’ (Redhouse).]
A popular acidulated drink in Egypt, etc., made by fermenting an infusion of millet-seed, with the addition of certain astringent substances; also an inebriating preparation of damel-meal, hemp seed and water.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Boza, a drink in Turky made of seed, much like new mustard, and is very heady.
1706. trans. Lemery’s Treat. Aliments, III. ii. 292. The Bosa, so much esteemed by the Arabs and Egyptians, is a Composition made of the Leaves and Seed of Bangue.
1847. Craig, Bosa.
1849. Southey, Comm.-pl. Bk., Ser. II. 45. The Booza makers are a very necessary corporation in a camp.
1879. C. R. Low, Jrnl. Gen. Abbott, i. 97. We get plenty of supplies; grain, boosa, sheep, cows … are brought into camp.
