Lewis & Short

† maltha, ae, f., = μάλθα,

  1. I. a kind of thick, fatty petroleum from Samosata, fossil tar, the flame of which could be extinguished only with earth, Plin. 2, 104, 108, § 235.
    1. B. Transf., a kind of varnish or cement made of slaked lime and hog’s fat: maltha e calce fit recenti; gleba vino restinguitur: mox tunditur cum adipe suillo et ficu, Plin. 36, 24, 38, § 181; Pall. 1, 41.
  2. * II. Trop., an effeminate person, Lucil. ap. Non. 37, 9.