"that which intoxicates," 1798; see intoxicate. Perhaps from Medieval Latin intoxicantem (nominative intoxicans), present participle of intoxicare. As an adjective from 1882.
Entries linking to intoxicant
intoxicate v.
mid-15c., "to poison" (obsolete), from Medieval Latin intoxicatus, past participle of intoxicare "to poison," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + Latin toxicare "to poison," from toxicum "poison" (see toxic). Meaning "make drunk" first recorded 1570s (implied in intoxicated). Figurative sense "excite to a high pitch of feeling" is attested from 1590s. Related: Intoxicating.