What does the word brandy mean?

The word "brandy" comes from the Dutch word "brandewijn", which literally translates to "burnt wine".

This refers to the process of distilling wine, which involves heating it to a boil and collecting the vapors. The word "burnt" is a bit of a misnomer, as the process doesn't actually burn the wine. However, the heat does concentrate the alcohol and other flavor compounds, giving brandy its distinctive character.