[spike.nard] n [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF spicanarde, fr. ML spica nardi, lit., spike of nard] (14c) 1 a: a fragrant ointment of the ancients b: a Himalayan aromatic plant (Nardostachys jatamansi) of the valerian family from which spikenard is believed to have been derived
2: an American herb (Aralia racemosa) of the ginseng family with aromatic root and panicled umbels