An alternative or archaic spelling of ambergris, the waxy substance produced in the digestive systems of sperm whales, historically used in perfume.
From 'amber' plus 'grease', a literal descriptive name for the greasy, amber-colored substance; 'ambergris' is the more modern French-influenced spelling.
Ambergris was so valuable in perfume-making that whalers hunted sperm whales partly for it—yet this precious 'whale grease' is actually whale poop mixed with digestive fluid, one of history's most glamorous substances with humble origins.
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