[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

petrolatum \pet`rola"tum\, n. chem.  pharm.
   a semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or
   odor, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter
   portions and purifying the residue. it is a yellowish,
   fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat
   fluorescent. it is used as a bland protective dressing, and
   as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments. --u. s.
   pharm.
   1913 webster

   note: petrolatum is the official name for the purified
         product. cosmoline and vaseline are commercial
         names for substances essentially the same, but
         differing slightly in appearance and consistency or
         fusibility.
         1913 webster
see also:
cosmoline vaseline 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

vaseline \vas"eline\, n. said by the manufacturer to be
   derived from g. wasser water + gr. 'e`laion olive oil.
   a yellowish translucent substance, almost odorless and
   tasteless, obtained as a residue in the purification of crude
   petroleum, and consisting essentially of a mixture of several
   of the higher members of the paraffin series. it is used as
   an unguent, and for various purposes in the arts. see the
   note under petrolatum. written also vaselin.
   1913 webster
see also:
petrolatum vaselin 

[3] : WordNet (r) 2.0

vaseline
     n : a trademarked brand of petroleum jelly

Vaseline >> V Words
Vaseline, definition of term: Vaseline
vaseline_pag1.html