[ ˌsα:s(ə)pə'rɪlə ]
■ noun
1》 a preparation of the dried rhizomes of various plants, especially smilax, used to flavour some drinks and medicines and formerly as a tonic.
↘a sweet drink flavoured with this.
2》 the tropical American climbing plant from which these rhizomes are obtained. [ Smilax regelii and other species.]
Origin
C16: from Sp. zarzaparilla , from zarza 'bramble' + a dimin. of parra 'vine'.