Kefir \Kef"ir\ (k[e^]f"[~e]r), n.
1. An effervescent liquor like kumiss, made from fermented
milk, used as a food and as a medicine in the northern
Caucasus. -- {Ke*fir"ic} (k[e^]*f[i^]r"[i^]k), a.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
2. A sour fermented milk drink, used in various regions of
Asia, made by addition of {Streptococcus} or
{Lactobacillus} cultures to cow's or goat's milk; it is
considered by some as a form of yoghurt.
[PJC]