from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Punch \Punch\, n. [Hind. p[=a]nch five, Skr. pa?can. So called
because composed of five ingredients, viz., sugar, arrack,
spice, water, and lemon juice. See {Five}.]
A beverage composed of wine or distilled liquor, water (or
milk), sugar, and the juice of lemon, with spice or mint; --
specifically named from the kind of spirit used; as rum
punch, claret punch, champagne punch, etc.
[1913 Webster]
{Milk punch}, a sort of punch made with spirit, milk, sugar,
spice, etc.
{Punch bowl}, a large bowl in which punch is made, or from
which it is served.
{Roman punch}, a punch frozen and served as an ice.
[1913 Webster]