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

To make my own, I alchemized a potpourri of sandalwood, hinoki wood, palo santo, mint, patchouli and tachibana orange.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

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 • May 17, 2024

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

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2023

He added that to be embraced by Mr. Charles himself, who stood less than five feet tall and whose luxuriant white Afro and beard were perfumed with patchouli oil, was a memorable experience.

From New York Times • Sep. 20, 2022

“A, B, C, vitamin D, vitamin D, vitamin D . . .” The Super-Vox-Wurlitzeriana had risen to a sobbing crescendo; and suddenly the verbena gave place, in the scent- circulating system, to an intense patchouli.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley