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Arrack

3 stages from Arabic to English.

Today it means a strong alcoholic spirit distilled from grain, sugarcane, or palm sap in parts of Asia

Where does the word "arrack" come from? It comes from Arabic 'araq, passing through Hindi/Tamil before entering English (c. 1600).

1
Stage 1 of 3
'araq
Arabic · medieval
"distilled spirit"
literally "sweat," describing the condensing droplets of distillation
2
Stage 2 of 3
arak / araku
Hindi/Tamil · 1500s
"distilled liquor"
spread along Arab trade routes across the Indian Ocean
3
Stage 3 of 3
arrack
English · c. 1600
"distilled spirit"
picked up by English traders in South and Southeast Asia
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