zaatar
/ˈzɑːtɑː/noun
1Originally in the Middle East: any of a number of aromatic culinary herbs.
- The precise herb referred to is variously identified as thyme, oregano, marjoram, hyssop, or savory..
2In Middle Eastern cuisine: a condiment made from any of these herbs (especially thyme) singly or in combination, with dried sumac, toasted sesame seeds and salt.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in The Jewish Quarterly Review. From Arabic saʿtar, ṣaʿtar, zaʿtar wild thyme, also a condiment made from this herb or similar herbs, probably from Syriac ṣatrā' (Aramaic ṣatrā'; goes to post-biblical Hebrew ṣatrāh savory, in modern Hebrew also satureia, thymbra).