\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}.]
1. An ancient expression of good wishes on a festive
   occasion, especially in drinking to some one.
         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 w[ae]s heil, that is,
         literally, Health be to you.          --N. Drake.
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.
         The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,
         Keeps wassail.                        --Shak.
         The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and
         wassail.                              --Prescott.
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}.
         A jolly wassail bowl, A wassail of good ale. --Old
                                               Song.
4. A festive or drinking song or glee. [Obs.]
         Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy
         ditty, I'll assure you.               --Beau. & Fl.

\Was"sail\, a.
Of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial; as,
a wassail bowl. ``Awassail candle, my lord, all tallow.''
--Shak.
{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.

\Was"sail\, v. i.
To hold a wassail; to carouse.
      Spending all the day, and good part of the night, in
      dancing, caroling, and wassailing.       --Sir P.
                                               Sidney.