Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a heavy drinker, a drunkard.

1740		Caledonian Mercury 6 Nov. 3/1: Strayed from leith on Sunday [...] A small Spaniel Dog [...] He answers to Drunkie or Drunkard.
1844		Leeds Times 22 June 6/2: My most trusty blue-coats [...] who see those drunkies home who roam at night in reeking stews and tap-rooms.
1861		letter in W.H. Russell Civil War 7 Nov. 166: In our cups I fear [...] Drunkies at ye end predominated.
1868		Sportsman 21 Oct. 2/1: Notes on News [...] .[N]ot a few instances in London of supposed ‘dead drunkies’ being dragged off to police-stations.
1944		N. Davis Rendezvous with Fear 27: No! You big drunker!
1945		Botkin Lay My Burden Down 126: Lawsy me, it a wonder I ain’t the biggest drunker in this here country, counting all the toddy I done put in my young belly!
2000		J.J. Connolly Layer Cake 156: Mort pulls one of the drunkies over and asks him where this street is.