ˌdīəˈskōrēə noun
Etymology: New Latin, irregular from Pedanius Dioscorides, 1st century A.D. Greek physician
1. capitalized : a genus of mostly tropical twining herbs (family Dioscoreaceae) including the yams and having net-veined leaves and small dioecious flowers
2. -s : the dried rhizome of a wild yam ( Dioscorea paniculata ) formerly used in hepatic disorders and rheumatism