akvavit

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European*h₂ékʷeh₂
2. Proto-Italic*akʷā
3. Latinaqua
4. Proto-Indo-European*gʷeyh₃-
5. Proto-Italic*gʷītā
6. Latinvīta
7. Latinvītae
8. Medieval Latinaqua vītae
9. Danishakvavit
10. Medieval Latinaqua vītae
11. Swedishakvavit
12. English todayakvavit

Unadapted borrowing from Danish and Swedish akvavit, from Medieval Latin aqua vītae (“water of life”). Doublet of aqua vitae and aquavit. Compare eau-de-vie, whisky, whiskey, and water of life from the same source.

Words from the same roots