congou
(ˈkɒŋguː, ˈkɒŋgə)
Also congo, kongo.
[ad. Chinese kung-fu work, and workman, kung-fu-ch‘a app. tea on which work or labour is expended. The omission of the f is the foreigner's corruption (Prof. Legge).]
A kind of black tea imported from China.
| 1725 Lond. Gaz. No. 6376/3 Next Week will be sold, a large Parcel of Bohee, with some Congou and Green Tea. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand. v. i, Congou tea, avadavats, and Indian crackers. 1845 Disraeli Sybil vi. viii, A-swelling the receipt of customs by the consumption of Congo! 1875 F. W. Pavy Food & Dietetics (ed. 2) 349 The chief varieties of black tea, arranged in [an upward order of excellence] are Bohea, Oolong, Congou, Campoi, etc. |