barley water

plural barley waters · alternative barley-water

1. UKcountableuncountableA soft drink made by boiling pearl barley with water, and adding flavouring and sugar.

   Large quantities of barley water were consumed constantly, but in the old days, a special boy was kept to run out for beer.

   1945 January and February, A Former Pupil, “Some Memories of Crewe Works—III”, in Railway Magazine, page 14

2. archaiccountableuncountablemedicineA decoction of barley used as a nutritive and demulcent.