ˈspīkˌnärd, -ˌnȧd, -_nə(r)d noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French spicanarde, from Medieval Latin spica nardi (translation of Greek nardou stachys ), from Latin spica head (of grain), tuft (of a plant) + nardi, gen. of nardus nard — more at spike , nard
1.
a. : a costly ointment with a musky odor valued as a perfume in ancient times — called also nard
b. : an East Indian aromatic plant ( Nardostachys jatamansi ) of the family Valerianaceae from the dried roots and young stems of which the ointment spikenard is believed to have been derived
2.
a. : an American herb ( Aralia racemosa ) distinguished from wild sarsaparilla by its more aromatic root and its panicled umbels — called also American spikenard
b. : any of various other fragrant plants — usually used in combination
plowman's- spikenard