asafoetida

British  

/ ˌæsəˈfɛtɪdə /

noun

1. a bitter resin with an unpleasant onion-like smell, obtained from the roots of some umbelliferous plants of the genus Ferula: formerly used as a carminative, antispasmodic, and expectorant

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Etymology

Origin of asafoetida

C14: from Medieval Latin, from asa gum (compare Persian azā mastic) + Latin foetidus evil-smelling, _fetid

Example Sentences

It was interesting to see how some of the cheftestants were totally unclear on certain Indian ingredients, such as jaggery or asafoetida.

From Salon • May 12, 2023

When the oil is hot, add the fennel seeds and asafoetida and lightly toast, shaking the pan occasionally, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 7, 2020

On the list were papaya, neem, asafoetida, figs, ginger, smartweed, wild yam, pennyroyal, black cohosh and angelica.

From Washington Times • Jun. 14, 2019

Coriander seeds add a pleasing zestiness, and I love the savoury hit of Usmani’s nigella seeds, which performs a similar role to Jaffrey and Patel’s more garlicky asafoetida, but looks more attractive.

From The Guardian • May 12, 2016

When used in cooking, its resin lent a pungent, onionlike taste perhaps not unlike modern asafoetida; when taken as medicine, the juice was said to cure sore throats, warts, fever, sour stomach, leprosy, and baldness.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro