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A pleasant-smelling lozenge sucked to mask bad breath.
‘Some of these, such as medicinal lozenges and scented cachous, have declined in popularity in the 20th century; but others, such as mints and sherbet, are still consumed enthusiastically.’
‘By referring to the notes we can learn that Davitt and Parnell were two Irish politicians of the time, and that a cachou was a popular cashew candy (the brushes aren't explained).’
‘While in the mouth, the cachou will also help us prevent oral bacteria and confer us a fresh breath.’
‘The predecessors of little floral cachous were used by court ladies as breath-fresheners.’
Origin
Late 16th century (in the sense ‘catechu’): from French, from Portuguese cachu, from Malay kacu. The current sense dates from the early 18th century.