a white sauce, sometimes seasoned with onion and nutmeg.
n.
1796, from French béchamel, named for Louis XIV’s steward, Louis de Béchamel, marquis de Nointel (1630-1703), who perfected it. Gamillscheg identifies him as a great gourmet of the time (“eines bekannten Feinschmeckers des 17. Jhdts.”).