Also chichi, chichia, and erroneously chica. [Native name in the lang. of Hayti (Oviedo, Brasseur de Bourbourg). Carried by the Spaniards to other countries of S. America.]
A fermented liquor made from maize and other plants by the natives of South America.
1760. trans. Juan & Ulloa’s Voy. (1772), I. V. v. 263. When the Indian has once got the money, he spends it all in chicha [note, A kind of beer or ale made of maize and very intoxicating]. Ibid., I. V. vii. 288. Called chica.
1832. Veg. Subst. Food, 114. The beverages … known by the name of chicha.
1845. Darwin, Voy. Nat., xiv. (1852), 296. A plant … called by the inhabitants Chepones…. I saw … the Chilotans making chichi, or cider, with this fruit.
1850. Prescott, Peru, II. 48. They did not refuse … to quaff the sparkling chicha from golden vases.
1854. De Bonelli, Trav. Bolivia, II. 109. We now partook of some chichia, a peculiar drink of the country.
