горілка

Etymology
Formed following the pattern of, and related to , from , from , from ,.

It may be an abbreviation of a compound term, such as:
 * —compare archaic.
 * or *—compare Czech, from Old Czech , and Hungarian from a similar Slavic origin.

Although there is no firm evidence, both and  are thought to originate as calques after New High, from early New High German  = later German. Also compare 🇨🇬, from, from Dutch.

There is also an unlikely theory that comes from  after the Polish example, rather than the reverse.

Old Ruthenian (Ukrainian/Belarusian) forms include, attested from the 18th century, , 1545/1539, , 1562, and , 1507/1498.

Also compare south Russian, Belarusian , Polish , , Czech originating from Polish, dialectal Slovak  and  also from Polish. Also English or, by romanization.

Noun

 * 1) Any distilled alcoholic liquor: vodka, whisky, brandy, etc.
 * 2) Specifically, a clear distilled alcoholic liquor of Eastern European origin, made from grain mash, potatoes, or their peelings; vodka.
 * 3) Such a liquor of Ukrainian origin, as opposed to Russian or Polish vodka; horilka.