n. (pl. -ies) an aromatic composite plant, Balsamita major, formerly used in medicine and for flavouring ale.
[ OE cost f. L costum f. Gk kostos f. Arab. kust an aromatic plant + (St) Mary (with whom it was associated in medieval times) ]
n. (pl. -ies) an aromatic composite plant, Balsamita major, formerly used in medicine and for flavouring ale.
[ OE cost f. L costum f. Gk kostos f. Arab. kust an aromatic plant + (St) Mary (with whom it was associated in medieval times) ]
Concise Oxford English dictionary. Краткий оксфордский словарь английского языка. 2012