patchouli

What it means

1. countableuncountableAny of several East Indian plants in the genus Pogostemon, especially Pogostemon cablin, which yield a highly fragrant oil.
2. countableuncountableThe oil or perfume made from these plants.

   Well she looks at you so coolly / And her eyes shine like the moon in the sea / She comes in incense and patchouli

   1976, Peter Wood, Al Stewart, “Year of the Cat”, in Year of the Cat

In a sentence

Well she looks at you so coolly / And her eyes shine like the moon in the sea / She comes in incense and patchouli

1976, Peter Wood, Al Stewart, “Year of the Cat”, in Year of the Cat

Where it comes from

1. Proto-Dravidian*pac-
2. Tamilபச்சை (paccai)
3. Proto-Dravidian*el
4. Proto-Dravidian*ay
5. Proto-South Dravidian*elay
6. Tamilஇலை (ilai)
7. Tamilபச்சிலை (paccilai)
8. Tamilபச்சுளி (paccuḷi)
9. Englishpatchouli

Borrowed from Tamil பச்சுளி (paccuḷi).