[German : Kirsche, cherry (from Middle High German kirse, kirsche , from Old High German kirsa , from Vulgar Latin *ceresia; see cherry) + Wasser, water (from Middle High German , from Old High German wassar).]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.