ORIGANUM

I. əˈrigənəm, ȯˈ- noun

or oreg·a·no əˈregəˌnō, ȯˈ-

( -s )

Etymology: origanum, from Middle English, from Latin, wild marjoram, from Greek origanon; oregano from Spanish orégano, from Latin origanum

: any of various fragrant aromatic plants of the families Labiatae and Verbenaceae that are used as seasonings in cookery ; usually : wild marjoram

II. noun

Usage: capitalized

Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, wild marjoram

: a genus of Eurasian aromatic mints having small erect spikes of flowers arranged in panicles or corymbs and the calyx almost equally 5-toothed — see cretan dittany , wild marjoram ; compare majorana