DictionaryRoot: pungere
Latin
pungere
to prick, pierce
4 / 4
adjective
pungent
PUHN-juhnt/ˈpʌndʒənt/
Strikingly sharp in taste or smell.
Etymology
A pungent smell or taste figuratively pricks or stings the senses. English first used the word for piercing pain or grief, then extended that sharpness to smell and taste.