ajowan

noun

aj·​o·​wan
ˈa-jə-ˌwän
variants or ajowan seed or ajwain or ajwain seed or less commonly aiwain or aiwain seed
ˈī-ˌwīn
plural -s
: the pungent seedlike fruit of an annual Indian herb (Trachyspermum ammi synonym Carum copticum of the family Umbelliferae, the carrot family) that is used especially as a seasoning and for its medicinal properties
Perfumy ajowan, a spice related to cumin and caraway but that tastes more like thyme, enhances the flavor of the delicate scallops …Heather McPherson, Orlando (Florida) Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2000
Ajwain seed oil and thymol are known to possess a number of functional properties, namely antimicrobial, antiflatulent, antispasmodic, antirheumatic, diuretic, stimulant, carminative, and expectorant.C. U. Rajeshwari et al., in Nuts and Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention, 2011

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ajowan was in 1826

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Cite this Entry

“Ajowan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ajowan. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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