'To wet one's whistle' definitions:

Definition of 'To wet one's whistle'

From: GCIDE
  • Wet \Wet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wet (rarely Wetted); p. pr. & vb. n. Wetting.] [AS. w[=ae]tan.] To fill or moisten with water or other liquid; to sprinkle; to cause to have water or other fluid adherent to the surface; to dip or soak in a liquid; as, to wet a sponge; to wet the hands; to wet cloth. "[The scene] did draw tears from me and wetted my paper." --Burke. [1913 Webster]
  • Ye mists and exhalations, that now rise . . . Whether to deck with clouds the uncolored sky, Or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • To wet one's whistle, to moisten one's throat; to drink a dram of liquor. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]
  • Let us drink the other cup to wet our whistles. --Walton. [1913 Webster]