dillwater

English

Alternative forms

• dill water
• dill-water

Etymology

From dill +‎ water.

Noun

dillwater (uncountable)

1. A liquid produced by infusing dillseed in water (generally used medicinally, particularly to treat colic or flatulence in infants).
   • 1687, David Abercromby, Academia Scientarum, or, The Academy of Sciences, London: J. Taylor et al., Section 21, p. 124,^[1]

     The Vomitory, whether milder ones, as Sarabacca Leaves bruised in Dill Water, or stronger ones, as the Spirit of Tobacco […]

   • 1805, Michael Underwood, A Treatise on the Diseases of Children, London: J. Callow, 5th edition, Volume 1, “Disorders arising from Constipation and Wind,” p. 56,^[2]

     If any flatulency should still remain […] a little dill-water, is a very safe and gentle carminative […]

   • 1864, Mark Lemon, chapter 1, in Loved at Last‎^[3], volume 3, London: Bradbury & Evans, page 14:

     […] Sally was in good health and spirits […] and earnestly desirous of “doing her best for the child she had nursed when pap and dillwater was its daily bread.”

   • 1908, H. G. Wells, chapter 3, in Tono-Bungay‎^[4], Toronto: Macmillan, page 76:

     Dill-water—all the suff’ring babes yowling for it.

   • 1957, Neville Shute, chapter 8, in On the Beach‎^[5], New York: William Morrow:

     “I’ll have to go before very long. Jennifer’s teething, and been crying for two bloody days. I told Mary I was sorry I’d got to go on board today, but I’d be back by five.”
     Dwight smiled. “Left her to hold the baby.”
     Peter nodded. “I got her a garden rake and a bottle of dillwater. But I must be back by five.”

See also

• gripe water