ˈhisəp noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English ysop, partly from Old English ysope and partly from Old French ysope; Old English & Old French, from Latin hysopum, hyssopum, hyssopus, from Greek hyssōpon, hyssōpos, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew ēzōbh hyssop, Assyro-Babylonian zūpu, Syriac zōfā
1.
a. : a plant used in bunches for purificatory sprinkling rites by the ancient Hebrews
b. : a European mint ( Hyssopus officinalis ) that has highly aromatic and pungent leaves and is often cultivated in gardens as a remedy for bruises
2.
a.
[probably from Medieval Latin hyssopus (also, the plant), fr Latin]
: aspergillum
b. : the holy water sprinkled in the asperges