n.
A beta-adrenergic stimulant used as a bronchodilator in the treatment of asthma and other obstructive lung diseases.
[Probably alteration of earlier salbutamol (influenced by AL(COHOL) and and perhaps TER(TIARY)) : sal(icyl), the radical of salicylic acid (from French salicyle; see salicylic acid) + BUT(YL) + AM(INE) + -OL1.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
