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.