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

'aqua vitae' changed into the Scandinavian word 'akvavit' (also spelled 'akvavit' or 'aquavit') and eventually became the modern English word 'aquavit'.

Initially, it meant 'water of life', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a Scandinavian distilled spirit, typically flavored with caraway or other botanicals'.