Etymograph

English

forty-rod

From forty + rod, a measure of distance, suggesting whiskey so strong it can affect one from 200 meters away.

A compound of forty + rod

Proto-Germanic *fedwōr tigiwiz

Proto-West Germanic *feuwar tigiwi

Old English fēowertiġ

Middle English fourty

English forty

Middle English rodde ‘As a staff or wand’

English rod

Today it means

noun cheap, strong whiskey or similar alcoholic beverage

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / forty-rod