'brandy' originates from Dutch, specifically the word 'brandewijn', where 'branden' meant 'to burn' and 'wijn' meant 'wine'.

'brandewijn' transformed into the English word 'brandywine', and eventually became the modern English word 'brandy'.

Initially, it meant 'burnt wine', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a distilled alcoholic beverage'.