labdanum

Etymology

From Latin lādanum, from Ancient Greek λήδανον (lḗdanon, “gum”), from λήδον (lḗdon, “rockrose”), from a Semitic language; compare Akkadian [script needed] (ladinnu).

Noun

labdanum (usually uncountable, plural labdanums)

1. A sticky brown resin obtained from species of rockrose, used mainly in perfume.
   • 2007 August 26, Chandler Burr, “Back in Print”, in New York Times‎:

     (A chypre perfume is usually built with oak moss, patchouli and labdanum, an absolute of a dark, thick-smelling Mediterranean bush.)