n. & v.
n. 1 a gum or spice producing a sweet smell when burned. 2 the smoke of this, esp. in religious ceremonial.
v.tr. 1 treat or perfume (a person or thing) with incense. 2 burn incense to (a deity etc.). 3 suffuse with fragrance. incensation n.
[ ME f. OF encens, encenser f. eccl.L incensum a thing burnt, incense: see INCENDIARY ]