The word hydrophobia is derived from Latin and literally means “fear of water.” While this may exist as a phobia, an irrational fear of water among humans, it is most often used as another name for the disease rabies which, in animals, causes an aversion to drinking.
For humans, this fear would generally manifest itself as a fear of bodies of water (lakes, oceans, ponds, etc.) or of swimming and would most likely be treated through the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy.