syrup

Etymology

From Middle English sirup, from Old French sirop, from Medieval Latin siruppus, syrupus, from Arabic شَرَاب (šarāb, “a drink, beverage, wine, coffee, syrup”), from شَرِبَ (šariba, “to drink”). Related to sorbet, sherbet. Compare French sirop, Italian siroppo, sciroppo, Spanish jarabe, jarope, Portuguese xarope, and Dutch siroop and stroop. The first known use of the spelling sirup was in the 14th century.

noun

1. Any thick liquid that has a high sugar content and which is added to or poured over food as a flavouring.
   maple syrup
   pancake syrup
   peaches in syrup
2. (by extension) Any viscous liquid.
   cough syrup
   rose syrup (rosewater)
3. (Cockney rhyming slang, shortened from "syrup of figs") A wig.

verb

1. (transitive) To convert or process into syrup.
2. (transitive) To add syrup to.
3. (transitive) To sabotage (a vehicle) by pouring syrup into the gas tank.