BENZOIN

noun Etymology: modification of Middle French benjoin, from Catalan benjuí, from Arabic lubān jāwi, literally, frankincense of Java Date: 1562 a hard fragrant yellowish balsamic resin from trees (genus Styrax ) of southeastern Asia used especially as a fixative in perfumes, as incense, and in medicine as an expectorant and skin protectant, a white crystalline hydroxy ketone C 14 H 12 O 2 made from benzaldehyde