patchouli

American  

[pach-oo-lee, puh-choo-lee] / ˈpætʃ ʊ li, pəˈtʃu li /

Or pachouli,

noun

1. a plant, Pogostemon cablin, of tropical Asia, that yields a fragrant oil patchouli oil used in the manufacture of perfumes.

2. a penetrating perfume made from this oil.

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patchouli British  

/ pəˈtʃuːlɪ, ˈpætʃʊlɪ /

noun

1. any of several Asiatic trees of the genus Pogostemon, the leaves of which yield a heavy fragrant oil: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

2. the perfume made from this oil

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Etymology

Origin of patchouli

First recorded in 1835–45, patchouli is from the Tamil word paccuḷi

Explanation

Patchouli is a bushy herb that grows in tropical parts of Asia. There's a perfume with a dark, musky scent that's made from this plant; this is also called patchouli. You may be familiar with the scent of patchouli without realizing it — it's often used in incense, essential oil blends, and natural insect repellants, and it's a common ingredient in various perfumes. The patchouli plant, which is cultivated all over Asia, is related to mint, though its smells much stronger, sweet and earthy. The word has Tamil roots, pachchai, "green," and ilai, "leaf."

Example Sentences

To make my own, I alchemized a potpourri of sandalwood, hinoki wood, palo santo, mint, patchouli and tachibana orange.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

The candle, with its scent of wood and spices, is based on the brand’s fan-favorite Oud Wood fragrance, which has a rich woodsy scent featuring notes of cardamom, patchouli and amber.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2024

It will perfume your room with a blend of passion fruit, sparkling tea and patchouli for about 50 days.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2023

Granola had officially imprinted itself on the patchouli generation.

From Salon • Sep. 17, 2023

“A, B, C, vitamin D, vitamin D, vitamin D . . .” The Super-Vox-Wurlitzeriana had risen to a sobbing crescendo; and suddenly the verbena gave place, in the scent- circulating system, to an intense patchouli.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley