patchouli

American  

[pach-oo-lee, puh-choo-lee] / ˈpætʃ ʊ li, pəˈtʃu li /

Or pachouli,

noun

1. a plant, Pogostemon cablin, of tropical Asia, that yields a fragrant oil patchouli oil used in the manufacture of perfumes.

2. a penetrating perfume made from this oil.

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patchouli British  

/ pəˈtʃuːlɪ, ˈpætʃʊlɪ /

noun

1. any of several Asiatic trees of the genus Pogostemon, the leaves of which yield a heavy fragrant oil: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

2. the perfume made from this oil

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Etymology

Origin of patchouli

First recorded in 1835–45, patchouli is from the Tamil word paccuḷi

Example Sentences

Aguirre has taught Jay the correct pronunciation of many French perfume names and has put him on to all-time favorites, like Jeroboam’s Oriento, a jammy rose patchouli with a sparkling saffron top note.

From Los Angeles Times

The candle, with its scent of wood and spices, is based on the brand’s fan-favorite Oud Wood fragrance, which has a rich woodsy scent featuring notes of cardamom, patchouli and amber.

From Los Angeles Times

Notes include Timur pepper, coriander/cilantro leaf, black tea, frankincense, violet, saffron, amber, patchouli and vanilla.

From Los Angeles Times

Johnson’s Cassandra Webb — Cassie for short — is far younger and seems more like a patchouli and cannabis kind of gal, despite the frenetic wheel skills she displays in her job as a New York paramedic.

From New York Times

It will perfume your room with a blend of passion fruit, sparkling tea and patchouli for about 50 days.

From Seattle Times