stump-water

English

Noun

stump-water (uncountable)

1. Stagnant water from a hollow in a rotting tree stump.

   Synonym: spunk-water

   • 2004, Aileen Kilgore Henderson, Hard Times for Jake Smith, Chapter VI:

     She thought about how folks believed that if you ducked your head in oak stump water, your straight hair would grow out curly. She had always wanted to try it, but Ma forbade it, and besides, oak stump water stunk sour.

2. (derogatory) Inferior beer or similar beverage.