Meaning
The fragrant root of the vetiver grass, prized for its sweet, earthy scent. Dried khus-khus roots were traditionally tucked among clothes and linens to perfume them and repel insects, woven into mats and fans, and used in perfume and bush medicine. Its cooling aromatic smell is a nostalgic part of old-time Jamaican households.
Examples
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Granny keep khus-khus inna di drawer wid di sheet.
Grandma keeps vetiver root in the drawer with the sheets.
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Di khus-khus mek di clothes smell sweet.
The vetiver makes the clothes smell sweet.
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Dem weave mat outta khus-khus root.
They weave mats out of vetiver root.
Origin
From Hindi/Tamil 'khus' (vetiver), arriving with Indian heritage; the vetiver grass root. See [[spirit-weed]].
How it’s used
Fragrant vetiver root, used to scent clothes/linens and in mats and medicine. See [[bandana]].