[f. CORK sb.1 or v.1 + -AGE.] The corking or uncorking of bottles: hence (= corkage-money) a charge made by hotel-keepers, waiters, etc., for every bottle of wine or other liquor uncorked and served, orig. when not supplied by themselves.
1838. Sir F. Pollock, Remembrances (1887), I. 119. Corkage money on the number of bottles opened was paid to the tavern.
1884. C. Rogers, Soc. Life Scotland, II. xiii. 312. The members used their own wine, allowing a ‘corkage’ to the innkeeper.
1886. Pall Mall Gaz., 14 July, 3/2. Even the waiters, in certain restaurants, levy a tax [on shippers of champagne] in the shape of ‘corkage,’ without which they may boycott a brand.
