Embaumen
/ɛmˈbaʊmən/noun
An obsolete English form of embalm, meaning to preserve a dead body with aromatic substances.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek bálsamon, the name for a fragrant resin prized in the ancient world for medicine, perfume, and funerary preservation.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
bálsamon
“A fragrant resin or aromatic substance”
Classical Latin
Latin
balsamum
“Balsam, a fragrant resin used medicinally and ceremonially”
Old French
Old French
embaumer
“To preserve a body with balsam or aromatic substances”
Middle English
English
embaumen
“To embalm; to preserve a corpse with spices or other substances”
15th Century
English
embawme
“To preserve a dead body, especially with aromatic materials”
Modern English
English
embalm
“To treat a corpse to delay decomposition”