koumiss Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an alcoholic beverage made from fermented mare's milk; made originally by nomads of central Asia
    kumis.

WordNet

Kou"miss noun
Etymology
Russ. kumys; of Mongolian origin.
Definitions
  1. An intoxicating fermented or distilled liquor originally made by the Tartars from mare's or camel's milk. It can be obtained from any kind of milk, and is now largely made in Europe. Written also koumyss, kumiss, kumish, and kumys.
    Koumiss has from time immemorial served the Tartar instead of wine or spirits. J. H. Newman.

Webster 1913