fusel oil
/ˈfjuːz(ə)l
/noun [mass noun]
A mixture of several alcohols (chiefly amyl alcohol) produced as a by-product of alcoholic fermentation.Brachiaria decumbens seeds submitted to fusel oil did not germinate and were rendered totally unviable....
- The crude fusel oil must be submitted to a careful distillation with a thermometer in the retort.
- The term fusel oil is strictly the remains of a pot or batch distillation, the compounds with low volatility.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from German Fusel 'bad liquor', probably related to fuseln 'to bungle'.