or  asa*foet*i*da  n :  the fetid gum resin of various Asian plants of the genus Ferula (esp. F. assafoetida, F. foetida, or F. narthex) occurring in the form of tears and dark-colored masses, having a strong odor and taste, and formerly used in medicine as an antispasmodic and in folk medicine as a general prophylactic against disease .
 
 
 
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