/hyooh mek"teuhnt/ or, often, /yooh-/ , n.
1. a substance that absorbs or helps another substance retain moisture, as glycerol.
adj.
2. moistening; diluting.
3. of or pertaining to a humectant or humectants.
[ 1650-60; humectant- (s. of ( h ) umectans ), prp. of ( h ) umectare to moisten, equiv. to ( h ) umect ( us ) moist, damp (see HUMID) + -ant- -ANT ]