1. having the power of softening or relaxing, as a medicinal substance; soothing, esp. to the skin: emollient lotions for the face.

–n.

2. an emollient medicine, lotion, salve, etc.

[1635–45; < L ēmollient- (s. of ēmolliēns) softening up (prp. of ēmollīre), equiv. to ē- E- + molli(s) soft + -ent- -ENT]

—e·mollience, n.

—Syn.1. relieving, palliative, healing, assuasive.

(Random House Webster's Unabridged)