Etymology From Middle English posset, possot, possate, poshet, posthot, of unclear origin. Perhaps from Welsh posel. A connection to Latin pōsca (medieval/dialectal poscada) has also been suggested.
1
A beverage composed of hot milk curdled by some strong infusion, such as wine.
I have drugged their possets.c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
2
A baby's vomit, comprising curdled milk.
Some people will tell you that this position may allow inhalation of posset, but there is no evidence to support this.2008, Miriam Stoppard, Complete Baby and Childcare: Everything You Need to Know for the First Five Years, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, →ISBN:
Derek saw that a smear of posset had appeared on the left shoulder of his jacket [...] He smiled softly at Charlotte and said softly, 'I've been puked on.'2012, Dave Hill, Man Alive, Hachette UK, →ISBN:
1 more example
While a little posseting is nothing to be worried about, a lot of posset is more likely to be 'reflux'.2014, Nick Harper, Help! I'm a Dad: All a new dad needs to know about the difficult first few months, Michael O'Mara Books, →ISBN:
3
A pudding-like food composed of cream, sugar, and other flavorings, such as lemon.
When the posset was brought forth, he turned himself into a bear, and frightening them away, had it all to himself.1850, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, London: H.G. Bohn, page 289:
LEMON POSSET / WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS : The classic English dessert lemon posset transforms cream, sugar, and lemon into a lush pudding with clean citrus flavor. It is the easiest dessert you've never made.[…]2022 October 4, America's Test Kitchen, The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001–2023: Every Recipe from the Hit TV Show Along with Product Ratings Includes the 2023 Season, America's Test Kitchen, →ISBN, page 939:
posset
verb
Etymology From Middle English posset, possot, possate, poshet, posthot, of unclear origin. Perhaps from Welsh posel. A connection to Latin pōsca (medieval/dialectal poscada) has also been suggested.
1
Obsolete To curdle; to turn, as milk; to coagulate.
to posset the blood
[…] And with a ſodaine vigour it [Hebenon, a poison] doth poſſet / And curd, like Aygre [vinegar] droppings into Milke, / The thin and wholſome blood: […]c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene v], page 258:
2
To treat with possets; to pamper.
Nevertheless, as she laid him in bed and posseted him, how frail and fragile he looked!1908, Arnold Bennett, The Old Wives' Tale:
3
Of a baby To vomit up curdled milk.
Some babies never posset at all. Others do so with surprising ease, and this can be quite a cause of concern to parents.1990, Miriam Stoppard, The New Baby Care Book, →ISBN:
All babies posset.2003, Pearson Education, Limited, Baby's First Year, Pearson South Africa →ISBN, page 23
1 more example
It's also common for babies to 'posset' - bring up small amounts of milk after a feed - and to vomit occasionally.2012, Andy Raffles, Felicity Fine, Harriet Sharkey, Yehudi Gordon, Mother and Baby Health: The A-Z of pregnancy, birth and beyond, Random House, →ISBN, page 421: