Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CRE'A-SOTE, n. [Gr. κρεας, flesh, and σωτηρ, preserver.]

An antiseptic principle, the product of the decomposition a wood in a certain manner; an oily colorless liquid, having the smell of smoke. It obtained from the pyrolignous acid, and the tarry matter which distills over from wood. It is a powerful irritant. – Med. and Surg. Journal. Knight.