Green’s Dictionary of Slang

to drink spirits, orig. specifically brandy; thus cogue it v., to drink heavily.

1737		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. n.p.: Cogue, to drink Brandy.
1775		J. Ash Dict. Eng. Dict. n.p.: Cogue, to drink Brandy, to drink drams.
1877		Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (4th edn) 779: To cogue or coag [sic] it. One of the many phrases signifying the habitual and excessive use of ardent spirits.