incense

Etymology

From Middle English encens, from Old French encens (“sweet-smelling substance”) from Late Latin incensum (“burnt incense”, literally “something burnt”), neuter past participle of incendō (“I set on fire”). Compare incendiary. Cognate with Spanish encender and incienso.

noun

1. A perfume used in the rites of various religions.
2. (figurative) Homage; adulation.

verb

1. (transitive) To anger or infuriate.
   I think it would incense him to learn the truth.
2. (archaic) To incite, stimulate.
3. (transitive) To offer incense to.
   And after this Almachius hastily Bad his ministres fecchen openly Cecile, so that she mighte in his presence Doon sacrifyce, and Iupiter encense. And after this, Almachius hastily Ordered his ministers to fetch publicly Cecile, so that she might in his presence Do sacrifice and burn incense to Jupiter. late 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Second Nun's Tale, The Canterbury Tales, line 410-413
4. (transitive) To perfume with, or as with, incense.
5. (obsolete) To set on fire; to inflame; to kindle; to burn.