astringent

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
astringent /əˈstrɪn(d)ʒ(ə)nt/

▶adjective

• 1 causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues.

• 2 sharp or severe in manner or style.

  ■ (of taste or smell) sharp or bitter.

▶noun an astringent lotion that is applied to the skin for cosmetic purposes or to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions.

– derivatives
astringency noun,
astringently adverb.

– origin C16: from Fr., from L. astringent-, astringere ‘pull tight’.