Wormwood
Wormwood , noun
[Anglo-Saxon werm{not transcribed}d, akin to Old High German wermuota, wormuota, German wermuth, wermut; of uncertain origin.]
1.
(Botany) A composite plant (Artemisia Absinthium), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen garments from moths. It gives the peculiar flavor to the cordial called absinthe. The volatile oil is a narcotic poison. The term is often extended to other species of the same genus.
2.
Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness.
Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood.
Collocations (3)
Roman wormwood (Botany) , an American weed (Ambrosia artemisiaefolia); hogweed.
Tree wormwood (Botany) , a species of Artemisia (probably Artemisia variabilis) with woody stems.
Wormwood hare (Zoology) , a variety of the common hare (Lepus timidus); -- so named from its color.