An intoxicating drink made in the W. Indies from sweet potatoes, in the Southern States from peaches and apples.
1638. This as we call mobby is only potatoes boyled, and then pressed as hard as they can till all the juce is gon out of the root into fayre water, and after three houres this is good drink. Soe we brue in the morning to drink att noon, and att noon to drink att night, and so every day in the yeare.—‘Verney Papers’ (1853), 194. (N.E.D.)
1705. Mobby Punch, made either of Rum from the Caribbee Islands, or Brandy distilled from their Apples and Peaches.—R. Beverley, ‘Virginia,’ § 74 (1722). (N.E.D.)
1705. Others make a Drink of them [from Peaches], which they call Mobby, and either drink it as Cyder, or Distil it off for Brandy. This makes the best Spirit next to Grapes.—Id., iv. 78.
