Musc
/mʌsk/noun
An archaic or variant English spelling of “musk,” the strongly scented substance produced by the musk deer.
Did you know?The word’s history passes through Sanskrit muṣka, meaning “testicle,” likely referring to the shape of the musk deer’s scent-producing pod; muṣka itself is related to the word for “mouse.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mus-
“Mouse; a small creature associated with a rounded or protruding form”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
muṣka
“Testicle; literally or figuratively connected with a mouse”
Ancient Greek
Greek
moskhos
“Musk, the aromatic substance from the musk deer”
Classical Latin
Latin
muscus
“Musk, a strong-smelling animal secretion”
Old French
Old French
musc
“Musk; an aromatic substance used in perfume and medicine”
Middle English
Middle English
musc
“Musk, also spelled or represented with forms such as muske”
Modern English
English
musc
“An obsolete or variant spelling of musk”