Past tense of astringe: to bind tightly or cause to contract, especially referring to substances that make tissues shrink or pucker.
From Latin astringere (ad- 'to' + stringere 'to bind tight'). The word entered English in the 16th century through medical and pharmaceutical terminology, maintaining its Latin sense of physical constriction.
Alum, witch hazel, and tannins in tea all astringed your mouth—that puckering sensation is your tissues literally contracting! This is why astringent medicines were so valued before modern pharmaceuticals.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.