A chemical substance that produces fumes or gas, used to disinfect or kill pests.
From Latin 'fumigans' (smoking, from fumare 'to smoke'), referring to substances that actively produce fumes, used in medicine and pest control since the 18th century.
Fumigants became crucial for pest control and disease prevention in the 20th century—the term reflects how Latin '-ant' suffixes identify active agents that perform actions (disinfectant, refrigerant).
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