Stinkhorn
/ˈstɪŋk.hɔːrn/noun
Any of several fungi that emit a strong foul odor, often attracting insects.
Did you know?The name is a plain English compound, but the fungus itself has long been treated like something uncanny because its odor mimics carrion and summons insects to spread its spores.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
stincan
“to emit an odor; to smell”
Old English
OE
horn
“horn; horn-shaped object”
Middle English
English
stinken + horn
“a horn-shaped, foul-smelling thing”
19th Century
English
stinkhorn
“a foul-smelling fungus, especially one of the genus Phallus”
Modern English
English
stinkhorn
“any of various foul-smelling fungi that attract insects”