akkewani, noun

/akəˈvɑːni/
Forms:
akarwanie, akervanieShow more Also akarwanie, akervanie, akkerwani, and with initial capital.
Origin:
MalayShow more Adaptation of Malay akar wangi, akar root + wangi fragrant, a name for the grass Vetiveria zizanoides.
The grass Cymbopogon marginatus of the Poaceae (subfamily Panicoideae), with odorous roots.
1856 L. Pappe in Cape of G.H. Almanac & Annual Register 341The creeping fibrous roots of this grass have a peculiar and rather ferulaceous smell. By the name of Akarwanie they are known to most colonists, and serve as a sure preventive against the destruction of wearing apparel, etc. by moths and other noxious vermin.
1887 S.W. Silver & Co.’s Handbk to S. Afr. 156Akervanie, Andropogon Iwaracanusa, the creeping fibrous roots of which have a peculiar fragrance.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 26Akkewani,..A plant..the many thread-like roots of which have a somewhat peculiar and not unpleasant scent, and, when dried, are placed among woollen articles to preserve them from moth.
1917 R. Marloth Dict. of Common Names of Plants 5Akkewani,..The rootstock of Cymbopogon marginatus...Aromatic, used medicinally.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 59Akke(r)wani,..Cymbopogon marginatus...Probably introduced by the Malays from the East where the original form functioned for an allied species with an aromatic rootstock.
The grass Cymbopogon marginatus of the Poaceae (subfamily Panicoideae), with odorous roots.
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Malay
akkedis, nounn.albacore, nounn.
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