biacetyl

[ bahy-uh-seet-l, -set-l, bahy-as-i-tl ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a yellow, water-soluble liquid, C 4 H 6 O 2 , occurring in butter and in certain essential oils, as bay, and also synthesized: used chiefly to augment the flavor and odor of vinegar, coffee, and other foods.

Word History and Origins

Origin of biacetyl¹

bi- ¹ + acetyl