sundowner

[ suhn-dou-ner ]

/ ˈsʌnˌdaʊ nər /

Chiefly British. an alcoholic drink taken after completing the day's work, usually at sundown.

Australian. a tramp or hobo, especially one who arrives at a homestead near sundown in order to avoid having to work in exchange for shelter.

Origin of sundowner

First recorded in 1870–75; sundown + -er¹

sunderland, sundew, sundial, sundog, sundown, sundowner, sundress, sundries, sundrops, sundry, sundry shop

After the rain ended, we took a bottle of wine to a slab of granite rock just beyond camp for a sundowner.

Walking With Wildebeests: Exploring the Serengeti on Foot |Joanna Eede |July 9, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Now grooms were hard to get, especially at the price I could afford to pay, and I did not want a man of the sundowner stamp.

Camp Fire Yarns of the Lost Legion |G. Hamilton-Browne
He longed each night for the usual "sundowner," but had determined not to open his one remaining bottle, in case of accident.

The Witch Doctor and other Rhodesian Studies |Frank Worthington
Once a man becomes a "sundowner" he is useless for any honest employment.

Australian Pictures |Howard Willoughby

Also it's safe to draw a sundowner sitting listlessly on a bench on the veranda, reading the Bulletin.

While the Billy Boils |Henry Lawson
Sundowner: (Historical) A swagman who arrives at a place too late for work, but looking for food and/or shelter.

Saltbush Bill, J.P., and Other Verses |A. B. Paterson

sundowner

/ (ˈsʌnˌdaʊnə) /

Australian and NZ obsolete, slang a tramp, esp one who seeks food and lodging at sundown when it is too late to work

nautical a strict ship's officer

informal, mainly British an alcoholic drink taken at sunset

NZ slang a lazy sheepdog