蒸溜
じょうりゅう · jouryuu · JLPT N1 · noun
distillation
蒸 — grass 艹 + 丞 (phonetic) + fire 灬
Originally depicted plant stalks (艹) being heated over fire (灬), with 丞 providing the sound. The character first meant rising steam from burning hemp stalks used as torches, then broadened to mean steaming food or vapor rising. Modern uses extend metaphorically to 'flourishing' or 'thriving.'
溜 — water 氵 + 留 (liú, stay)
A semantic-phonetic compound: the water radical 氵 gives the meaning (smooth, slippery, flowing) while 留 supplies the sound. Originally describing water flowing swiftly and smoothly, it extended to mean 'slip,' 'glide,' or 'sneak away,' as well as 'slippery' surfaces.