hocus

UK: /ˈhəʊkəs/ US: (hō′kəs)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ho•cus  (hō′kəs), v.t., -cused, -cus•ing or (esp. Brit.) -cussed, -cus•sing. 

1. to play a trick on;
   hoax;
   cheat.
2. to stupefy with drugged liquor.
3. to drug (liquor).

• short for hocus-pocus 1665–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hocus / ˈhəʊkəs/ verb ( -cuses, -cusing, -cused, -cuses, -cussing, -cussed)(transitive)

1. to take in; trick
2. to stupefy, esp with a drug
3. to add a drug to (a drink)