"having an unpleasant smell," 1865, of unknown origin; perhaps related to Old French frouste "ruinous, decayed," or to Old English þroh "rancid;" both of which also are of uncertain origin. Also compare frowzy.
frou-frou
frounce
frow
froward
frown
frowsty
frowzy
frozen
fructify
fructose
frug