arrack

or ar·ak

[ar-uh k, uh-rak]

noun

any of various spirituous liquors distilled in the East Indies and other parts of the East and Middle East from the fermented sap of toddy palms, or from fermented molasses, rice, or other materials.

Origin of arrack

1595–1605; < Arabic ʿaraq literally, sweat, juice; see raki

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for arrack

Historical Examples of arrack

Having no bottle, I found that the arrack had been put into a small gourd.
In the Eastern Seas
W.H.G. Kingston
Going into the house again, I found a lamp and a bottle of arrack upset.
The Malay Archipelago
Alfred Russell Wallace
Toddy and arrack (native spirit) are also placed in readiness.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India
Edgar Thurston
In front of the platform are placed a sickle, sticks, and arrack (liquor).
Castes and Tribes of Southern India
Edgar Thurston
They offer rice and arrack (alcoholic liquor) to their ancestors.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India
Edgar Thurston

British Dictionary definitions for arrack

arrack

arak

noun

a coarse spirit distilled in various Eastern countries from grain, rice, sugar cane, etc

Word Origin for arrack

C17: from Arabic `araq sweat, sweet juice, liquor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for arrack

c.1600, probably picked up in India, ultimately from Arabic araq, literally "sweat, juice;" used of native liquors in Eastern countries, especially those distilled from fermented sap of coconut palm, sometimes from rice or molasses.