vetiver

[ vet-uh-ver ]

noun

1. the long, fibrous, aromatic roots of an East Indian grass, Vetiveria zizanioides, used for making hangings and screens and yielding an oil used in perfumery.
2. Also called khus-khus. the grass itself.

vetiver

/ ˈvɛtɪvə /

noun

1. a tall hairless grass, Vetiveria zizanioides, of tropical and subtropical Asia, having aromatic roots and stiff long narrow ornamental leaves
2. the root of this plant used for making screens, mats, etc, and yielding a fragrant oil used in perfumery, medicine, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of vetiver¹

First recorded in 1840–50, vetiver is from the Tamil word veṭṭivēr

Word History and Origins

Origin of vetiver¹

C19: from French vétiver, from Tamil vettivẽru

Example Sentences

The women powder their hair with an odorous substance obtained from the berries of the vetiver.

From Project Gutenberg

She would go into ecstasies on breathing in the patchouli and vetiver used for Cashmere shawls.

From Project Gutenberg