[ 'skwɪnənsɪˌwə:t ]
■ noun a small plant with narrow leaves and scented white or lilac flowers, formerly used to treat quinsy. [ Asperula cynanchica .]
Origin
C18: from med. L. squinantia (appar. formed by confusion of Gk sunankhē with kunankhē , both denoting throat diseases) + wort .