LAUREL

I. noun Etymology: Middle English lorel, in part from Medieval Latin laureola spurge ~ (from Latin, ~ sprig), in part modification of Anglo-French lorer, from Old French lor ~, from Latin laurus Date: 14th century an evergreen shrub or tree ( Laurus nobilis of the family Lauraceae, the ~ family) of southern Europe with small yellow flowers, fruits that are ovoid blackish berries, and evergreen foliage once used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in the Pythian games, a tree or shrub that resembles the true ~, 3. a crown of ~ awarded as an honor, a recognition of achievement ; honor , II. transitive verb (-reled or -relled; -reling or -relling) Date: 1631 to deck or crown with ~