asafetida

[ as-uh-fet-i-duh ]

/ ˌæs əˈfɛt ɪ də /

noun Chemistry.

a soft, brown, lumpy gum resin having a bitter, acrid taste and an obnoxious odor, obtained from the roots of several Near Eastern plants belonging to the genus Ferula, of the parsley family: formerly used in medicine as a carminative and antispasmodic.

Nearby words

Also a·sa·foet·i·da, asfetida.

Origin of asafetida

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin asafoetida, equivalent to asa (< Persian āzā mastic, gum) + Latin foetida, feminine of foetidus fetid

Also called devil's dung, food of the gods.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for asafetida

Us wore rabbits foots, little bags of asfiddy (asafetida), and garlic tabs 'round our necks to keep off mis'ries.
Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves|Work Projects Administration
Den some peoples keeps a bag of asafetida tied round dey neck to keep off sickness.
Slave Narratives Vol. XIV. South Carolina, Part 1|Various
"Pleasant and palatable as castor oil mixed with asafetida," replied the manager with a scowl.
Mixed Faces|Roy Norton
Likewise, in the spring of the year he frequently anointed the young of the species with a mixture of mutton suet and asafetida.
"Speaking of Operations--"|Irvin S. Cobb

I does 'member dat chillun had to live wid bags of assfiddy (asafetida) 'round deir necks to keep off ailments.
Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume IV, Georgia Narratives, Part 1|Work Projects Administration

Word Origin and History for asafetida

asafetida

late 14c., from Medieval Latin asa (Latinized from Persian aza "mastic") + foetida, fem. of foetidus "stinking" (see fetid).