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

'aquavit' changed from Scandinavian 'akvavit' (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish), which was borrowed from the Latin phrase 'aqua vitae', and eventually became the modern English word 'aquavit'.

Initially, it meant 'water of life' (a general term for distilled spirits), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a Scandinavian caraway- or dill-flavored distilled spirit'.