strong water

plural strong waters · alternative strong-water

1. Synonym of aqua fortis:
   1. archaicA strong solvent, (particularly) nitric acid.First known use 15th c.
   2. archaicA strong drink, (particularly) distilled spirits.First known use 17th c.

      Strong-Waters are apt to give me the Head-ache—I hope, Madam, you will excuse me.

      1728, John Gay, The Beggar's Opera, III.8

      1 more example

      Now, if there be six Coppers, the first two are thinnest and biggest, in which the juyce is first boiled; but not by a very strong fire, for that will make the Scum to rise, by casting in Temper, as they call it: the first of which that ariseth is little worth; but afterwards, what is scum'd off, they make a very good drink of, called Locus-Ale, much used by the servants; or else they convey it into a Copper-Still (as they do all their other setlings and dregs of Sugar) to be distill'd, and make a sort of Strong-Water they call Rum, or Rum-bullion, stronger then Spirit of Wine, and not very pleasant, until a man is used to it. This strong liquor is ordinarily drank amongst the Planters, as well alone, as made into Punch.

      1672, William Hughes, The American Physitian..., pages 33-34