also boot-legger, 1889, from bootleg (q.v.). The word enjoyed great popularity in the U.S. during Prohibition (1920-1933), and the abstracted element -legger was briefly active in word-formation, e.g. meatlegger during World War II rationing, booklegger for those who imported banned titles such as "Ulysses."
boot
boot camp
Bootes
booth
bootleg
bootlegger
bootlegging
bootless
boot-licker
bootstrap
booty