The story
From earlier mannite (from manna + -ite) + -ol. By surface analysis, mann(ose) + -itol.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Today it means: A polyhydric alcohol, an isomer of sorbitol, found in nature and also manufactured for use in various applications (for example, as an artificial sweetener and as a medication for various indications). Full definition →