/
ɪmˈbɑːm,
ɛm-/
v.
- preserve (a corpse) from decay, originally with spices and now usually by injection of a preservative.
▸preserve in an unaltered state.
- archaic give a pleasant fragrance to.
Derivative
- embalmer n.
- embalmment n.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. embaumer, from em- ‘in’ + baume ‘balm’, var. of basme (see balm).