/sooh"int, swint/ , n.
the natural grease of the wool of sheep, consisting of a mixture of fatty matter and potassium salts, used as a source of potash and in the preparation of ointments.
[ 1785-95; su ( er ) to sweat ( sudare; see SWEAT) + -in suffix of mass nouns (as in crottin dung); -t after oint, ptp. of oindre to rub with oil, ANOINT ]