softener

noun

soft·​en·​er -(ə)nə(r) 

plural -s

: one that softens: such as

a

: a worker who softens hides, skins, or leather usually by immersing or tumbling them in water

b

: a textile worker who waxes thread and yarn

c

: a machine or apparatus in which something is softened

d

: a substance added to something (such as hard water, molten iron, or rubber in the process of manufacture) to make it soft, malleable, or plastic compare plasticizer

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