Forms: 3–6 caudel, 4–7 cawdel(l, 5 cawdelle, cawdille, 5–6 caudelle, 5–7 caudell, (6 cadle, cawdale), 7–8 cawdle, (8 Sc. caddel), 6– caudle. [a. ONF. caudel [= central OF. chaudel, mod.F. chaudeau):—med.L. caldellum, dim. of caldum, calidum (neut. of caldus, calidus warm) ‘a hot drink.’]
1. A warm drink consisting of thin gruel, mixed with wine or ale, sweetened and spiced, given chiefly to sick people, esp. women in childbed; also to their visitors.
1297. R. Glouc. (1824), 561. As me seiþ, wan ich am ded, make me a caudel.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. V. 205. Glotoun was a gret cherl … and cowhede vp a cawdel in clementes lappe.
c. 1400. Beryn, 431. Sit and ete þe cawdell … þat was made With sugir and with swete wyne.
1483[?]. Caxton, Bk. for Trav. Potages, caudell for the seke, chaudel.
1540. Raynold, Byrth Mankynde, II. x. (1634), 152. It is a common vsage to give often to women in theyr childbed, caudels of Otemeale.
1570. Levins, Manip., 9. A cadle, potiuncula ouacea.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 164. A comfortable Caudle made with some Wine, Spices, Sugar, and the yolk of an egge.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., II. xxi. 137. They cast out of their ship … much suger, and packs of spices, making a caudle of the sea round about.
1659–60. Pepys, Diary (1879), I. 85. Went to bed and got a caudle made me, and sleep upon it very well.
1765. London Chron., 29 Aug., 202. The resort of different ranks of people at St. James’s to receive the Queen’s Caudle is now very great.
1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, I. 90. She went to see the grocer’s wife on an interesting occasion, and won the heart of the family by tasting their caudle.
† b. Caudle of hemp-seed, hempen caudle (ironically): = hanging. Obs.
1588. Marprel. Epist. (1845), 22. He hath prooued you to haue deserued a cawdell of Hempseed, and a playster of neckweed.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., IV. vii. 95. Ye shall haue a hempen Caudle then, and the help of hatchet.
2. Comb. caudle-cup.
1657. in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1883), I. 153. One Cawdell Cupp with a top.
1659. Gayton, Art of Longevity, 56.
| The Caudle-cup, they bravely nourish, | |
| Causing the blood, and seminal vertue flourish. |
a. 1668. Davenant, News from Plymouth, III. Dram. Wks. 1873, IV. 146.
| Arise, arise! when you are up, | |
| You’ll find more to your cost, | |
| For morning’s-draught in caudle-cup, | |
| Good nutbrown-ale, and toast. |
1743. Fielding, Jon. Wild, III. vii. A pint silver caudle-cup, the gift of her grandmother.
1820. D. Turner, Tour Normandy, II. 150. The odd mixture of caudle-cup, compliment and courtly flattery.
