Bootlegs origin

anyone know the origin of the term “bootlegs”?


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Chief’s Domain

just a guess- smuggled items (like bootleg whiskey) were hidden in bootlegs?

Frome http://www.britannica.com

the word “freebooter” however, comes from the Dutch ‘vrijbuiter’ meaning ‘free plunderer’ from the words ‘vrij’ (free) and ‘buit’ (‘bounty’). Buit is also the origin of the English ‘booty.’