'akvavit' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aqua vitae,' where 'aqua' meant 'water' and 'vitae' meant 'of life.'

'aqua vitae' transformed into the Scandinavian word 'akvavit,' and eventually became the modern English word 'akvavit.'

Initially, it meant 'water of life,' referring to any distilled spirit, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a specific type of Scandinavian spirit.