a white, pungent, waxy, crystalline alcohol, CHOH, obtained from oil of peppermint and used in medicine, cosmetics, cigarettes, etc.
See menthol in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(mĕnˈthôlˌ)
noun
A white crystalline organic compound, CH3C6H9(C3H7)OH, obtained from peppermint oil or synthesized. It is used in perfumes, in cigarettes, as a mild topical anesthetic, and as a mint flavoring.