I. ˈwä-səl also wä-ˈsāl noun
Etymology: Middle English wæs hæil, washayl, from Old Norse ves heill be well, from ves (imperativesingular of vera to be) + heill healthy — more at was , whole
Date: 12th century
1. : an early English toast to someone's health
2. : a hot drink that is made with wine, beer, or cider, spices, sugar, and usually baked apples and is traditionally served in a large bowl especially at Christmastime
3. : riotous drinking : revelry
II. verb
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. : to indulge in wassail : carouse
2. dialect England : to sing carols from house to house at Christmas
transitive verb
: to drink to the health or thriving of