subs. phr. (common).—1. Thick, sweet port: STRAP is an old name for wine.
1608. DEKKER, The Belman of London, in Wks. (Grosart) III., 131. Sometimes likewise this Card-cheating, goes not under the name of Bernard’s Lawe, but is called Batt Fowling, and then ye Setter is the Beater, the foole that is caught in the net, the bird, the Tauerne to which they repaire to worke the Feate, is the Bush; the wine the STRAP, and the cardes the Limetwigs.
1821. W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry, 3. Tom (taking his seat): Gentlemen, I beg pardon for being scarce so long; but having to start early, I thought it best to see that the toggery was all right and fly—I never shirk the BLACK STRAP intentionally, you know. Jerry: Don’t mention it, my dear Tom.
18[?]. FALCONER, Marine Dictionary, s.v. BLACKSTRAP. The English sailors call the common wines of the Mediterranean BLACKSTRAP.
2. (American).—Properly speaking, gin mixed with molasses, but frequently applied to a compound of any alcoholic liquor with molasses.
1833. Atkinson’s Casket; or Gems of Literature, Wit and Sentiment, Nov., 521, Georgia vs. Down East. Howsomdever, mister, I guess you never drinked no BLACK-STRAP, did you? ’Spose you hav’nt. Why bless your ’tarnal soul, it’s the sweetest drink that ever streak’d it down a common sized gullet.
1853. WHYTE-MELVILLE, Digby Grand, x. The orator gets deeper into his subject, till an extremely abrupt conclusion … empties every bumper of ‘BLACK STRAP’ like a shot.
1870. JUDD, Margaret, 300. Pluck. Come, Molly, pretty dear, no BLACK-STRAP to night; no switchel, or ginger-pop.
1882. PINKERTON, Molly Maguires and Detectives, p. 84. From the great iron kettle a savory incense arose; it came from an admixture of high-wines and common molasses, in about the proportion of one gallon of the latter to four of the spirit…. The seething BLACKSTRAP was pronounced ready for use. It rapidly disappeared, and, as it diminished and was imbibed, the fun and hilarity proportionately increased.
3. (old).—A task of labour imposed on soldiers at Gibraltar as a punishment for small offences (GROSE).
