creosote
creosote (krēʹə-sōt) noun
1. A colorless to yellowish oily liquid containing phenols and creosols, obtained by the destructive distillation of wood tar, especially from the wood of a beech, and formerly used as an expectorant in treating chronic bronchitis.
2. A yellowish to greenish-brown oily liquid containing phenols and creosols, obtained from coal tar and used as a wood preservative and disinfectant. It can cause severe neurological disturbances if inhaled in strong concentrations.
verb, transitive
creosoted, creosoting, creosotes
To treat or paint with creosote.
[German Kreosot : Greek kreas, flesh + Greek sōtēr, preserver (from sōzein, to save).]