octanoic acid
Chemistry
noun
Any saturated fatty acid of the formula C7H15COOH, of which several isomers exist; specifically (also n-octanoic acid) the straight-chain primary acid, CH3(CH2)6COOH, a liquid (also called caprylic acid), glycerides of which are present in butter and many other fats.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Journal of the Chemical Society.