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any of various spirituous liquors distilled in the East Indies and other parts of the East and Middle East from the fermented sap of toddy palms, or from fermented molasses, rice, or other materials.
Historical Examples

Just before serving pour over the salad two wineglassfuls of arrack.
Fifty Salads Thomas Jefferson Murrey

Having no bottle, I found that the arrack had been put into a small gourd.
In the Eastern Seas W.H.G. Kingston

arrack (liquor) vendors consider it unlucky to set their measures upside down.
Omens and Superstitions of Southern India Edgar Thurston

Going into the house again, I found a lamp and a bottle of arrack upset.
The Malay Archipelago Alfred Russell Wallace

One of their chief employments was the manufacture of arrack, which they sold to the town’s-people.
The Pacification of Burma Sir Charles Haukes Todd Crosthwaite

In front of the platform are placed a sickle, sticks, and arrack (liquor).
Castes and Tribes of Southern India Edgar Thurston

The arrack dried up in the bowl, ere it could be carried to the appointed box.
George Cruikshank’s Omnibus George Cruikshank

They are said to be very partial to toddy and arrack (alcoholic liquor).
Castes and Tribes of Southern India Edgar Thurston

Toddy and arrack (native spirit) are also placed in readiness.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India Edgar Thurston

Finally, the interview terminated by his asking for a glass of arrack.
The Ocean World: Louis Figuier

noun
a coarse spirit distilled in various Eastern countries from grain, rice, sugar cane, etc
n.

c.1600, probably picked up in India, ultimately from Arabic araq, literally “sweat, juice;” used of native liquors in Eastern countries, especially those distilled from fermented sap of coconut palm, sometimes from rice or molasses.