skilligalee

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A poor, thin, watery kind of broth or soup, sometimes consisting of oatmeal and water in which meat has been boiled; a weak, watery diet served out to prisoners in the hulks, paupers in workhouses, and the like; a drink made of oatmeal, sugar, and water, formerly served out to sailors in the British navy.

Wiktionary

1. n. A thin, weak broth or oatmeal porridge, formerly given to prisoners and paupers in England.
2. n. A drink made of oatmeal, sugar, and water, formerly used in the English navy and army.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A kind of thin, weak broth or oatmeal porridge, served out to prisoners and paupers in England; also, a drink made of oatmeal, sugar, and water, sometimes used in the English navy or army.