‖gavine, noun
- Forms:
- Show more Also gabeen, gavini, govini.
- Origin:
- IsiZulu, EnglishShow more IsiZulu ugavini a liquor made from sugar-cane, of obscure origin, perhaps related to gava act or talk foolishly or unrestrainedly; or related to isivina (grape) vine, from English vine; but see also quotation 1954.
Especially in township slang: a potent spirit distilled from home-brewed liquor. Cf. shimiyana.
1954 F.J. Edmonstone Thorny Harvest 85Saku poured a little of the spirit on the concrete floor, then taking a lighted match to it, immediately the govini burst into a blue flame.
1980 ‘Mrs M.’ in Staffrider Vol.3 No.1, 2People, as I say, were brewing gavine, shimiyana, everything.
a potent spirit distilled from home-brewed liquor.
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