pucker water
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Water impregnated with alum, or other astringents, used by old experienced traders to counterfeit virginity.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “pucker water” mean?
Water impregnated with alum, or other astringents, used by old experienced traders to counterfeit virginity.
Is “pucker water” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.