Drink made by putting water into an empty spirit cask, or over a sugar-mat, to catch some of the flavor.
1830. Marryat, King’s Own, xx. I’ll pass the bottle, and you may make a bull of it. Ibid. (1835), Jac. Faithf., xx. A bull means putting a quart or two of water into a cask which has had spirits in it.
1859. All Y. Round, No. 4. 78. He would … have abdicated his sovereignty for an old sugar mat, wherewith to make ‘bull.’
