Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Valerian

Valerian , noun

[Late Latin valeriana, perhaps from some person named Valerius, or from Latin valere to be strong. powerful, on account of its medicinal virtues: compare French valériane.]

(Botany) Any plant of the genus Valeriana. The root of the officinal valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has a strong smell, and is much used in medicine as an antispasmodic.
Collocations (1)
Greek valerian (Botany) , a plant (Polemonium caeruleum) with blue or white flowers, and leaves resembling those of the officinal valerian.