a noxious, pestilential, or foul exhalation from the earth; also : STENCH

Pronunciation:
meh-FIE-tis

In a sentence:
The mephitis was so unbearable to the hunters, that they unanimously resolved to give up their life-long hobby, become vegetarians, and pick up golf instead.

In a different sentence:
Gina turned to her friend and raised her eyebrows while plugging her nose; her friend suggested that it was mephitis—but Gina knew the awful, shameful truth.