duiwelsdrek, noun

/ˈdeɪvəlzdrek//ˈdœɪv(ə)lsdrek//ˈdeɪvəlzdrɛk/
Forms:
Also duivels drek.
Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, combining form duiwels devil’s + drek excrement.
a. A bitter-tasting plant resin derived from any of several Asian trees of the genus Ferula, used for the treatment of nervous tension and stomach upsets. Also attributive. See also (old) Dutch medicine (Dutch adjective sense 2).
Note:
Variously known as ‘asafoetida’, ‘devil’s dirt’, and ‘devil’s dung’ elsewhere.
1919 Dunell, Ebden & Co.’s Price List Oct. 20Duivels Drek. Per doz. 7/-.
1969 Sunday Times 4 MayHe found eight bottles of satan’s dung (duiwelsdrek) hidden in the roof of the manse. Three more bottles of the potion were unearthed in the church building.
c1970 Lennon’s Dutch Medicine HandbkDuiwelsdrek, In cases of nervousness, hysteria, and sleeplessness, this preparation will be found to soothe and calm the nerves. It can also be recommended for flatulence and stomach pains.
1973 S. Stander tr. of A.P. Brink’s Brandy in S. Afr. 172Results could be attained by drawing a dessertspoon of ‘duiwelsdrek’ with a half-bottle of brandy and a pinch of salpetre.
1976 E. Prov. Herald 12 Feb. 5He never regained consciousness after being fed the ‘pill’ made of curry powder, tumeric, garlic, pea powder, epsom salts and ‘duiwelsdrek’ during a ceremony at the..men’s hostel.
1989 D. Smuts Folk Remedies 5Asafoetida (duiwelsdrek): Duiwelsdrek is recommended for cases of nervousness, hysteria and sleeplessness.
b. combinations
duiwelsdrekdruppels/-ˌdrəp(ə)lz//-ˌdrœp(ə)ls/ [Afrikaans, druppels drops], duiwelsdrek drops, drops containing duiwelsdrek.
c1970 Lennon’s Dutch Medicine HandbkDuiwelsdrekdruppels, These drops are intended for the same ailments as Duiwelsdrek. For nervousness, hysteria and sleeplessness take ten to fifteen drops.
1989 D. Smuts Folk Remedies 39Fainting, Duiwelsdrek drops (asafoetida drops), 20 to 30 drops on sugar or in half a small glass of water.
A bitter-tasting plant resin derived from any of several Asian trees of the genus Ferula, used for the treatment of nervous tension and stomach upsets. Also attributive.
, duiwelsdrek drops, drops containing duiwelsdrek.
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Afrikaans
duiwel, interjectionint. & nounn.duiweltjie, nounn.
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