/kearsh/ , n.
a fragrant, colorless, unaged brandy distilled from a fermented mash of cherries, produced esp. in Germany, Switzerland, and Alsace, France. Also called kirschwasser /kearsh"vah'seuhr/ .
[ 1810-20; Kirsch, shortened form of Kirschwasser, equiv. to Kirsch ( e ) CHERRY + Wasser WATER ]