propionic acid

English Noun

Definition

The compound with the formula CH₃CH₂COOH, a naturally occurring carboxylic acid with a pungent odor.

Etymology

From French acide propionique, coined by chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas, from Ancient Greek πρῶτος (prôtos) ("first") and πίων (píōn) ("fat"), because it was the smallest carboxylic acid that exhibited the properties of the other fatty acids, such as producing an oily layer when salted out of water and having a soapy potassium salt.