Skatole
/ˈskætəli/noun
A foul-smelling organic compound formed during the bacterial decomposition of tryptophan, especially in animal feces.
Did you know?Skatole is a major contributor to fecal odor, yet in extremely diluted amounts it can occur as part of the scent of jasmine and orange blossoms and has been used in perfumery.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
σκῶρ (genitive σκατός)
“Dung or feces”
19th Century
Scientific Greek
skat-
“Combining form derived from Greek skōr, ‘dung’”
19th Century
Scientific English
-ole
“Chemical suffix used in names of certain organic compounds”
1877
English
skatole
“Name given to the fecal-smelling crystalline compound produced from indole-related chemistry”
Modern English
English
skatole
“A malodorous compound associated especially with fecal decomposition”
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