Treacle /(trē"k'l)/

Trea·cle

Treacle

n.
  1. A remedy against poison. See Theriac, 1. (Old Med.)
    We kill the viper, and make treacle of him.
  2. A sovereign remedy; a cure. [Obs.]
    Christ which is to every harm treacle.
  3. Molasses; sometimes, specifically, the molasses which drains from the sugar-refining molds, and which is also called sugarhouse molasses.
  4. A saccharine fluid, consisting of the inspissated juices or decoctions of certain vegetables, as the sap of the birch, sycamore, and the like.

Phrases & Compounds
Treacle mustard
a name given to several species of the cruciferous genus Erysimum, especially the Erysimum 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.
Venice treacle
Same as Theriac, 1.