scent gland

noun

1. any of various specialized skin glands, occurring in many kinds of animals, that emit an odor commonly functioning as a social or sexual signal or a defensive weapon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scent gland¹

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

Deer musk is specifically a secretion produced from the scent gland of the male musk deer.

From BBC

They also have something called stink fights, where males grab the end of their long, striped tail, rub it in a scent gland, and wave stinky tails at each other.

From The Guardian

The jar held castoreum, from the dried scent gland of a beaver, once prized as an aphrodisiac.

From The New Yorker

“It’s a recreated scent gland,” Mr. Keener said.

From New York Times

She grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma, surrounded by lots of pet animals, including a skunk without a scent gland, a wild burro and Holstein calf.

From Washington Times