[f. BARLEY.] A drink, made by the decoction of pearl barley, used as a demulcent. † Strong barley-water: ale.
c. 1320. Seuyn Sag., 1574. Barli-water, that was i-sode.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Orgemonde, Barlye water, Tysante.
1625. Hart, Anat. Ur., I. v. 46. The women … are not so busie … with the strong barley water as our British women.
1684. Otway, Atheist, Prol. And Barley-water Whey-fac’d Beau’s write Satyrs.
1875. H. Wood, Therap. (1879), 581. Barley-water is used as a nutritious, demulcent drink in fevers.
