castoreum

American  

[ka-stawr-ee-uhm, -stohr-] / kæˈstɔr i əm, -ˈstoʊr- /

noun

1. castor.

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Etymology

Origin of castoreum

< Latin < Greek kastórion, equivalent to kastor- (stem of kástōr ) beaver + -ion, neuter of -ios adj. suffix

Example Sentences

Beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain 400 years ago for their meat, furry water-resistant pelts and a substance they secrete called castoreum - used in food, medicine and perfume.

From BBC

"They were hunted for predominantly their fur but also for the castoreum which is an internal gland that was used for medicinal purposes and, until very recently, in perfumes," said Robert Needham, restoration manager at Beaver Trust.

From BBC

News articles or food influencers on social media might have you believe that castoreum, a yellow, syrupy substance from the castor sacs near a beaver’s anus, is found in your everyday vanilla-flavored products, disguised as “natural flavoring.”

From National Geographic

According to some of these sources, castoreum is an ingredient in everything from ice cream to strawberry-flavored oatmeal.

From National Geographic

While people have used castoreum for medicinal purposes and, yes, to flavor perfumes and foods since ancient times, today there’s almost nothing in the grocery store today that contains castoreum.

From National Geographic