amuse-gueule

noun

¦ä-ˌmüz-¦gəl 

-¦gœl,

-ˌmᵫz-,

ə-¦myüz-

plural amuse-gueules

: amuse-bouche

… we were encouraged to … swap plates when we were each served a different amuse-gueule.

—Paul Levy, Travel & Leisure, November 1994

… a complimentary amuse-gueule of smoked salmon on toast …

—Charles Hennessy, Bon Appétit, December 1997

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, literally "(it) entertains (the) mouth"

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

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