Having a strong, sharp smell or taste that is often unpleasant or irritating to the senses.
From Latin 'pungens', the present participle of 'pungere' (to prick, pierce, sting). The sense evolved from physical pricking to sharp sensory experiences like smells and tastes.
The same Latin root 'pungere' gives us 'point,' 'puncture,' and 'pungent'—they all literally mean to poke or pierce, which is exactly what a strong smell does to your nose!
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