Also kuss-kuss, cuss cuss, kuskos, cuscuss. [ad. Pers. and Urdū khas khas the sweet-scented root of the grass in question.] The long fibrous aromatic root of an Indian grass, Andropogon muricatus, used for making fans, screens, ornamental baskets, etc. Hence cuscus-grass, cuscus-root.
1810. T. Williamson, E. Ind. Vade-mecum, I. 235 (Y.). The kuss-kuss … when fresh, is rather fragrant, though the scent is somewhat terraceous.
1862. Mrs. Speid, Last Years Ind., 72. The root of a sweet-smelling grass, the cuscus.
attrib. 1889. Blackw. Mag., Aug., 247/1. A large cuscus mat.
