[a. Ger. fusel bad brandy or other spirits; formerly applied in LG. dialects also to bad tobacco. Cf. Ger. fuseln to bungle (see FOOZLE).] attrib. in Fusel oil, ‘a term for a mixture of several homologous alcohols, chiefly amylic alcohol, and especially applied to this when in its crude form’ (Syn. Soc. Lex., 1885).

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1850.  Daubeny, Atom. Th., vii. (ed. 2), 227. Being abundantly obtained during the distillation of potatoes … the name of oil of potato spirit, or fusel oil, has been assigned to it.

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1859.  All Year Round, No. 32. 128. Fusel oil … makes oil of pear, used in perfumery and the so-called ‘jargonelle pear drops.’

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1868.  L. Playfair, in Quarterly Review, CXXIV. 350. A peculiarly fœtid oil, termed ‘fusel’ oil, is formed in making brandy and whisky.

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