patchouli

Any of several East Indian plants in the genus Pogostemon, especially Pogostemon cablin, which yield a highly fragrant oil.

Noun

  1. Any of several East Indian plants in the genus Pogostemon, especially Pogostemon cablin, which yield a highly fragrant oil.
  2. The oil or perfume made from these plants.
    • Well she looks at you so coolly / And her eyes shine like the moon in the sea / She comes in incense and patchouli - 1976, Peter Wood, Al Stewart, “Year of the Cat”, in Year of the Cat:

Origin

Etymology tree Tamil பச்சுளி (paccuḷi)bor. English patchouli Borrowed from Tamil பச்சுளி (paccuḷi).

Forms

patchoulis patchouly pachouli

Related

mint

Derived

patchoulied patchoulol