what's the meaning of inveterate habit in this sentence?

[fariba_sabok]

Can you help me with this sentence? What's the meaning of inveterate habit in this sentence? "On the edge of the wilderness we paused to ask for directions at a log house owned by a white settler, a tall, rawboned old fellow with red hair and an inveterate habit of winking with one eye, as if every thing he said was of importance."
Thank you

[English Freak]

Can you help me with this sentence? What's the meaning of inveterate habit in this sentence? "On the edge of the wilderness we paused to ask for directions at a log house owned by a white settler, a tall, rawboned old fellow with red hair and an inveterate habit of winking with one eye, as if every thing he said was of importance."
Thank you

It means he has had this habit of winking and he can't stop it. It's impossible for him to stop this habbit. He did it (winking) inadvertently.