\Trea"cle\ (tr[=e]"k'l), n. [OE. triacle a sovereign
remedy, theriac, OF. triacle, F. th['e]riaque (cf. Pr.
triacla, tiriaca, Sp. & It. triaca, teriaca), L. theriaca an
antidote against the bite of poisonous animals, Gr. ?, fr. ?
of wild or venomous beasts, fr. qhri`on a beast, a wild
beast, dim. of qh`r a beast. Cf. {Theriac}.]
1. (Old Med.) A remedy against poison. See {Theriac}, 1.

         We kill the viper, and make treacle of him. --Jer.
                                               Taylor.

2. A sovereign remedy; a cure. [Obs.]

         Christ which is to every harm treacle. --Chaucer.

3. Molasses; sometimes, specifically, the molasses which
   drains from the sugar-refining molds, and which is also
   called {sugarhouse molasses}.

Note: In the United States molasses is the common name; in
      England, treacle.

4. A saccharine fluid, consisting of the inspissated juices
   or decoctions of certain vegetables, as the sap of the
   birch, sycamore, and the like.

{Treacle mustard} (Bot.), a name given to several species of
   the cruciferous genus {Erysimum}, especially the {E.
   cheiranthoides}, which was formerly used as an ingredient
   in Venice treacle, or theriac.

{Treacle water}, a compound cordial prepared in different
   ways from a variety of ingredients, as hartshorn, roots of
   various plants, flowers, juices of plants, wines, etc.,
   distilled or digested with Venice treacle. It was formerly
   regarded as a medicine of great virtue. --Nares.

{Venice treacle}. (Old Med.) Same as {Theriac}, 1.