vetiver

[prettygoodword]

vetiver (VET-uh-ver) - n., a tall perennial grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) of southeastern Asia cultivated for erosion control and for its fragrant roots, used especially in woven goods (such as mats) and in perfumes; the roots themselves; an essential oil derived from the root, the fragrance of the oil.



Thanks, WikiMedia!

Closely related to other fragrant plants including lemongrass (C. citratus), citronella (C. nardus), which as a clan are related to sorghums. Originally native to southern India, but now cultivated throughout the tropics. We got the word around 1850 from French vétyver/vétiver, from Tamil veṭṭivēr -- the northern India name for the plant is khus-khus.

---L.

Comments

[octahedrite]

Vetiver is 👌 you should do a series on perfume words.

[prettygoodword]

That's an interesting thought. Lemme see what I can expiscate. (It'll be a while, I currently have 8 weeks of words in my queue.)