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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Wassail \Was"sail\, n. [AS. wes h[=a]l (or an equivalent form in
another dialect) be in health, which was the form of drinking
a health. The form wes is imperative. See {Was}, and
{Whole}.]
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1. An ancient expression of good wishes on a festive
occasion, especially in drinking to some one.
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Geoffrey of Monmouth relates, on the authority of
Walter Calenius, that this lady [Rowena], the
daughter of Hengist, knelt down on the approach of
the king, and, presenting him with a cup of wine,
exclaimed, Lord king waes heil, that is, literally,
Health be to you. --N. Drake.
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2. An occasion on which such good wishes are expressed in
drinking; a drinking bout; a carouse. "In merry wassail he
. . . peals his loud song." --Sir W. Scott.
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The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,
Keeps wassail. --Shak.
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The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and
wassail. --Prescott.
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3. The liquor used for a wassail; esp., a beverage formerly
much used in England at Christmas and other festivals,
made of ale (or wine) flavored with spices, sugar, toast,
roasted apples, etc.; -- called also {lamb's wool}.
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A jolly wassail bowl,
A wassail of good ale. --Old Song.
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4. A festive or drinking song or glee. [Obs.]
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Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy
ditty, I'll assure you. --Beau. & Fl.
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Wassail \Was"sail\, v. i.
To hold a wassail; to carouse.
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Spending all the day, and good part of the night, in
dancing, caroling, and wassailing. --Sir P.
Sidney.
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Wassail \Was"sail\, a.
Of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial; as,
a wassail bowl. "Awassail candle, my lord, all tallow."
--Shak.
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{Wassail bowl}, a bowl in which wassail was mixed, and placed
upon the table. "Spiced wassail bowl." --J. Fletcher.
"When the cloth was removed, the butler brought in a huge
silver vessel . . . Its appearance was hailed with
acclamation, being the wassail bowl so renowned in
Christmas festivity." --W. Irving.

{Wassail cup}, a cup from which wassail was drunk.
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