aguardiente

[Sp., contr. of agua ardiente burning water (L. aqua water + ardens burning).]

1. A inferior brandy of Spain and Portugal.

2. A strong alcoholic drink, especially pulque. [Mexico and Spanish America.]

Spanish; see marc.

[ah-gwahr-dee-EN-tay; ah-gwahr-dee-EN-tay day KAH-nyah] Spanish for "burned water" (akin to North America's fire water), aguardiente is a generic term for any of several potent, low quality spirits. In Spain, the term refers to a brandy-based potable made from marc. The South American aguardiente de caña is a coarse liquor based on sugar cane and sometimes flavored with anise seed. See also cachaça.