asafetida

American  

[as-uh-fet-i-duh] / ˌæs əˈfɛt ɪ də /

Also asafoetida;

noun

1. 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, used in folk medicine to prevent disease and in Indian cuisine as a flavoring, and formerly used in medicine as a carminative and antispasmodic.

---

Etymology

Origin of asafetida

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin asafoetida, equivalent to asa (from Persian āzā “mastic, gum”) + Latin foetida, feminine of foetidus; see origin at fetid

Example Sentences

Thornton showed them how to blend whole spices, grind coriander seed and asafetida.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2019

Add the turmeric, asafetida, if using, and the onion.

From Washington Post • May 13, 2019

On the spice aisle, she buys bags of dried bay leaves, bright yellow turmeric, jet black mustard seeds and hing, or asafetida, the pungent spice that gives certain Indian dishes their signature zing.

From Washington Post • Jan. 24, 2019

Adding salt and red chile powder is next, and a mixture that includes onion, ghee, turmeric and the pungent sweet spice asafetida goes in just before serving.

From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2014

Suddenly he thought of his Aunt Jimmy, her asafetida bag, her four gold teeth, and the purple rag she wore around her head.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison