SPIKENARD

noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French spicanarde, from Medieval Latin spica nardi, literally, spike of nard Date: 14th century 1. a fragrant ointment of the ancients, a Himalayan aromatic plant ( Nardostachys jatamansi ) of the valerian family from which ~ is believed to have been derived, a North American perennial herb ( Aralia racemosa ) of the ginseng family with an aromatic root and panicled umbels