A bootlegger is a person who illegally produces, distributes, or sells alcoholic beverages without government authorization. This practice became particularly prominent during the Prohibition era in the United States, which lasted from 1920 to 1933. During this time, the manufacture and sale of alcohol were banned, leading to a rise in underground operations. Bootleggers often used creative methods to transport and hide their products, such as using hidden compartments in vehicles or creating secret distilleries. The term can also apply to those who illegally distribute other goods, but it is most commonly associated with the illicit alcohol trade.