Also 6–8 coculus india. [mod.L. cocculus little berry, indicus Indian.] The commercial name of the dried berries of Anamirta (formerly Menispermium) Cocculus, a climbing plant found in Malabar and Ceylon; the berry is a violent poison, and has been used to stupefy fish, and in England to increase the intoxicating power of beer and porter.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Torvisco, a kind of shrub whereon Coculus India groweth.
1693. Phil. Trans., XVII. 762. The Natsjatam or Battavalli, which is the Cocculus Indicus of our Shops.
1742. Lond. & Country Brewer, I. (ed. 4), 57. Witness what I am afraid is too true, that some have made Use of the Coculus India Berry for making Drink heady … but … this is a violent Poison.
1866. Treas. Bot., 59. Cocculus indicus … is used for adulterating porter, though … a heavy penalty is inflicted upon brewers detected in so doing, and upon druggists who supply brewers.
Hence a nonce-vb.
1844. J. T. Hewlett, Parsons & Widows, V. Wiring, groping, and cocculous-indicusing trout.
