The gill is a unit of volume in the imperial unit system and uses the symbol gi.
It represents 1/4 of a pint - so in this instance, it is 1/4 of an imperial pint - therefore measures exactly 142.0653125 ml. It's also equal to 2 imperial cups and 1/32 of an imperial gallon.
It is pronounced with a "J" sound at the beginning - and it actually part of a humorous in the nursery rhyme 'Jack & Jill'.
In the UK it was used throughout pubs as standard measures; for example spirits were served as 1/6 gill as standard. In Scotland it was 1/5 gill and in Ireland 1/4 gill. It's still used in the Republic of Ireland today.
The US gill is a unit of volume in the US customary unit system and uses the symbol gi.
It represents 1/4 of a pint - so in this instance, it is 1/4 of US pint - therefore measures exactly 118.29411825 ml. It's also equal to 8 tablespoons, 24 teaspoons and 5/6 imperial gills.
The gill has been mentioned a number of times in popular literature; including in Treasure Island, Animal Farm and in Dan Simmon's 'The Terror' - and all references are pointing to the use of the gill in terms of alcohol measures or servings.