From the Saxon wes hal meaning “be of good health.” It was customary in England to toast family and friends at midwinter with some sort of alcoholic beverage. Wassail can also refer to just the alcoholic beverage.

Wassailing is an English midwinter custom of going from house to house with a large bowl containing ale and other ingredients as a way to wish friends and neighbors good health in the coming year. This evolved into the modern custom of Christmas caroling.