Acidulate
/ˈæsɪdʒʊˌleɪt/noun
To make slightly acidic or tart; to sour or sharpen the taste.
Did you know?Acidulate comes from Latin acidulus, “somewhat sour,” a diminutive of acidus, and its deeper root is tied to the idea of sharpness — the ancient link between taste and danger.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ak-
“to be sharp, pointed”
Latin
Latin
acidus
“sour, sharp-tasting”
Latin
Latin
acidulus
“somewhat sour, slightly acid”
Late Latin
Latin
acidulāre
“to make slightly sour”
16th Century
English
acidulate
“to make slightly sour or acid”
Modern English
English
acidulate
“to make mildly acidic or tart”