Pomander
/poʊˈmæn.dɚ/noun
A perfumed ball or container of scented substances, historically carried to mask bad odors or believed to protect health.
Did you know?Pomander comes from a medieval French term for a fragrant apple-like object; over time, people wore them as protective scent charms, blurring the line between perfume, medicine, and magic.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
pomander
“A scented ball or aromatic container carried for fragrance and protection”
Middle French
French
pomme d'ambre
“An apple of amber or fragrant apple-like object”
Medieval Latin
Latin
pomum de ambra
“Apple of amber; a scented object made from ambergris or aromatic materials”
Latin
Latin
pomum
“Apple; fruit”
Arabic
Arabic
ʿanbar
“Ambergris, a waxy fragrant substance used in perfumery”