Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TREA-CLE, n. [Fr. theriaque; It. teriaca; Sp. triaca; L. theriaca; Gr. θηριακη, from θηρ, a wild beast; θηριακα φαρμακα.]

1. The spume of sugar in sugar refineries. Treacle is obtained in refining sugar; melasses is the drainings of crude sugar. Treacle however is often used for melasses.
2. A saccharine fluid, consisting of the inspissated juices or decoctions of certain vegetables, as the sap of the birch, sycamore, &c. – Cyc.
3. A medicinal compound of various ingredients. [See Theriaca.]