[ ɪm'bα:m , ɛm- ]
■ verb
1》 preserve (a corpse) from decay, originally with spices and now usually by injection of a preservative.
↘preserve in an unaltered state.
2》 archaic give a pleasant fragrance to.
Derivatives
~er noun
~ment noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. embaumer , from em- 'in' + baume 'balm', var. of basme (see balm ).