1920s. From the Chinese (Wu: Shanghai) equivalent of Mandarin wèijīng (from wèi taste, flavour + jīng essence, extract), apparently influenced in pronunciation by the Mandarin form.
Definition of ve-tsin in US English:
ve-tsin
(also veh t'sin, ve tsin)
nounˌveɪˈtsɪn
Monosodium glutamate, as used in Chinese cookery.
Origin
1920s. From the Chinese (Wu: Shanghai) equivalent of Mandarin wèijīng (from wèi taste, flavour + jīng essence, extract), apparently influenced in pronunciation by the Mandarin form.