[hys.sop] n [ME ysop, fr. OE ysope, fr. L hyssopus, fr. Gk hyssopos, of Sem origin; akin to Heb ezobh hyssop] (bef. 12c) 1: a plant used in purificatory sprinkling rites by the ancient Hebrews
2: a European mint (Hyssopus officinalis) that has highly aromatic and pungent leaves and is sometimes used as a potherb