Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US) to distil illicit liquor; thus blockading n.

1883		Zeigler & Grosscup Alleghanies 141: Blockading, or ‘moonshining’ [...] is not as prevalent in these mountains as is generally supposed [DARE].
1910		M.Y. Tribune 11 Sept. 27/2: In Georgia they are called ‘moonshiners’; in Alabama they are known as ‘wildcatters’; in the Carolinas they are ‘blockaders’.
1917		DN IV 408: Blockade ... To make moonshine whiskey.
1926		L. Vollmer Sun-Up 3: Moonshining? ... Yes, blockadin’. Why not? [DARE].
1939		FWP Guide NC 467: The making of illicit liquor, locally called ‘blockading,’ contributed to the feuds that have given this region its old name of ‘Bloody Madison’ [DARE].
1943		National Geographic Mag. 84 766/1: Naturally Henderson in his ‘blockading’ (moonshining)... had made many enemies [DARE].