DCHP-2

regale ((n.)) [< Cdn F régale MF "pleasure, festive occasion"] Fur Trade, Hist. DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

• 1 n.

  a ration of rum, brandy, etc. issued to company employees embarking on, during, or following an arduous journey by canoe, York boat, etc.

  • This practice seems to have been established by the North West Company, being taken over by the Hudson's Bay Company following the amalgamation of 1821 and varying somewhat in character as time passed.

• 2a n.

  a party or feast that followed the issuing of extra rations, usually including liquor, on a festive occasion, as at Christmas, New Year's, or on the arrival of special guests or important visitors.

• 2b n.

  See 1941 quote.

• 3 n.

  a free issue of rum, brandy, etc. to Indians, especially on special occasions.

  See also: potlatch ((n.)) (def. 3)  rum (def. 2b)