Vetivers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of grass known for its fragrant roots, often used in perfumery and as a stabilizing plant in soil erosion control
2. A plant whose essential oil is extracted for its earthy scent, commonly utilized in aromatherapy and cosmetics
3. A species often employed in landscaping due to its ability to thrive in wet environments and help prevent soil degradation

Etymology: "Vetivers" is the plural of "vetiver," so it refers to more than one plant or more than one kind of this fragrant grass. The singular names the grass itself, whose roots yield an oil prized in perfumery. The noun reached English from French, where it appeared as "vétyver" in older spelling or "vétiver" in modern usage. The French form came from Tamil "veṭṭivēr," a name for the same plant in South India, where the roots have long been woven into screens and mats that release a cooling scent when wetted. The Tamil compound is the story's real origin: European traders and botanists encountered the plant in India and carried its name westward through French.