'araq' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'ʿaraq' (Arabic: عرق), where 'ʿaraq' meant 'sweat' or 'a distilled/condensed liquid.'

'araq' passed into Ottoman Turkish as 'arak' and then into European languages (e.g. French 'arak'), eventually appearing in English as 'arak' and variant spellings such as 'araq.'

Initially it meant 'sweat' or 'the liquid that condenses' in Arabic; over time the term came to be used specifically for a distilled alcoholic beverage flavored with anise.