n.
Pronunciation: ˌ sas-p ə - ' ri-l ə , ˌ särs-, - ' re-; ˌ sa-s ə -, ˌ sär-s ə -
Function: noun
Etymology: Spanish zarzaparrilla, from zarza bush + parrilla, diminutive of parra vine
Date: 1577
1 a : any of various tropical American greenbriers b : the dried roots of a sarsaparilla used especially as a flavoring
2 : any of various plants (as wild sarsaparilla) that resemble or are used as a substitute for sarsaparilla
3 : a sweetened carbonated beverage flavored with sassafras and oil distilled from a European birch