Porter

n. [Fr. & Pr. portier, It. portiere, Sp. portero, Pg. porteiro, Lat. portārius, from porta, a gate, door.] A man that has the charge of a door or gate; a door-keeper; one who waits at the door to receive messages.

n. A malt liquor, of a dark brown color, and moderately bitter taste, and possessing tonic and intoxicating qualities.

☞ It is said to be so called as having been first used chiefly by the London porters, and that the word in this application is not older than the middle of the last century. It differs from ale in being of a darker color, from being made of malt highly kiln-dried, or by the use of burnt sugar, or of a portion of the wort concentrated and burnt as a coloring ingredient.