The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Lauric acid \Lauric acid\ (Chem.),
   a white, crystalline substance, CH3.(CH2)10.COOH,
   resembling palmitic acid, and obtained from the fruit of the
   bay tree, and various other vegetable sources. The sodium
   salt (sodium lauryl sulfate) is used as a detergent.

   Syn: dodecanoic acid, laurostearic acid, dodecoic acid.
        [1913 Webster + PJC]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

lauric acid
    n 1: a crystalline fatty acid occurring as glycerides in natural
         fats and oils (especially coconut oil and palm-kernel oil)
         [syn: lauric acid, dodecanoic acid]