Was"sail (?), n. [AS. wes hāl (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 wæs heil, that is, literally, Health be to you.

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.

The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and wassail.

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.

4. A festive or drinking song or glee. [Obs.]

Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy ditty, I'll assure you.

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

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.

Was"sail (?), n. [AS. wes hāl (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 wæs heil, that is, literally, Health be to you.

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.

The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and wassail.

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.

4. A festive or drinking song or glee. [Obs.]

Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy ditty, I'll assure you.

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

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.

• a toast to health, usually at a festival
  
• the beverage served during a wassail
  
• revelry
  
• to toast, to drink to the health of another
  
• to drink wassail