tipple1

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtɪp(ə)l/

verb

[no object]
  • 1drink alcohol, especially habitually: those who liked to tipple and gamble
  • 2 (it tipples down, it is tippling down, etc.) British informal rain heavily: it was tippling down with rain

noun

informal
  • an alcoholic drink: she drank several glasses of sherry, her favourite tipple

Origin:

late 15th century (in the sense 'sell (alcoholic drink) by retail'): back-formation from tippler1