Benzoin
/ˈbɛn.zɔɪn/noun
A fragrant resin obtained mainly from trees of the genus Styrax and used in incense, perfume, and medicine.
Did you know?Benzoin resin was burned as incense and used in perfumery, while its name preserves a medieval Arabic reference to Java, the source associated with the resin.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
lubān jāwī
“Java frankincense or incense from Java”
12th–13th Century
Arabic/Trade Latin
benjāwī
“A trade form referring to the fragrant resin associated with Java”
13th–14th Century
Medieval Latin
benzoinum
“A fragrant resin used medicinally and aromatically”
14th–15th Century
Old French/Italian
benjoin / benzoì
“A balsamic, aromatic resin”
15th–16th Century
English
benzoin
“A fragrant resin imported for medicine, incense, and perfume”
Modern English
English
benzoin
“A resin from Styrax trees used in incense, fragrance, and pharmaceutical preparations”