Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Caduceus

Caduceus , noun

[Latin caduceum, caduceus; akin to Greek {not transcribed} a herald's wand, from {not transcribed} herald.]

(Mythology) The official staff or wand of Hermes or Mercury, the messenger of the gods. It was originally said to be a herald's staff of olive wood, but was afterwards fabled to have two serpents coiled about it, and two wings at the top.