subs. (old).—A homely aphrodisiac.—[Grose, 1785.] [An allusion to the penis and the stirring tendency of strong beer.] Nares says it was ‘a sort of ale which was very celebrated in the seventeenth century for its superior quality.’
1675. The Woman turn’d Bully, iii. 3. Spr. How, Mr. Trupenny, not a drop worth drinking? Did you ever taste our COCK-ALE?
1698. WARD, The London Spy. My friend by this time (knowing the entertainment of the house) had called for a bottle of COCK-ALE, of which I tasted a glass, but could not conceive it to be anything but a mixture of small beer and treacle. If this be COCK-ALE, said I, e’en let cockscombs drink it. [N.]
1738. Poor Robin. Notwithstanding the large commendations you give the juice of barley, yet if compar’d with canary, it’s no more than a mole-hill to a mountain; whether it be COCK-ALE, China ale, etc. [N.]
Also COCK-BROTH, etc.
