As a noun, bootleg means the top part of a boot, the part that is around the leg instead of the foot. From the practice of hiding small items in a boot to smuggle them past the authorities, the word became a verb, meaning "to smuggle", and an adjective, describing something that has been smuggled (or, more rarely, stolen). The term bootleg can refer to:

• A musical recording released and sold without the artist's consent. See bootleg recording
• A piece of music which contains unlicensed samples. See bastard pop
• An alcoholic beverage sold without regard to legal regulations and taxes. See bootleg liquor
• A pirate radio station
• A counterfeit piece of merchandise
• A tactic in American football. See bootleg play