patchouli
UK[ˈpætʃʊli]US[pəˈtʃuːli]
n
a strong‑scented oil obtained from a southeast asian shrub, used in perfumery and incense.
n
the bushy southeast asian mint plant from which this oil is obtained.
Etymology
the word 'patchouli' entered english in the mid‑19th century, borrowed directly from the tamil language of southern india. the tamil word 'paccuḷi' refers to the fragrant plant. the term traveled to europe alongside the trade of the plant's essential oil, which was used to scent fabrics and later became a staple in perfumery. its journey from a specific regional name to a globally recognized commodity term exemplifies how trade routes directly transplant words for exotic goods into new languages without morphological adaptation.
Analysis
this word is a loanword borrowed as a single, unanalyzable unit in english. it does not contain separable morphemes from the perspective of english word formation.
Examples
the distinctive scent of patchouli oil was popular in the 1960s counterculture.
she grows patchouli in her greenhouse for its aromatic leaves.
the perfume has base notes of sandalwood and patchouli.