/kap"si keuhm/ , n.
1. any plant of the genus Capsicum, of the nightshade family, as C. annuum, the common pepper of the garden, occurring in many varieties.
2. the fruit of such a plant or some preparation of it, used as a condiment and intestinal stimulant.
[ 1655-65; caps ( a ) CASE 2 + -icum, neut. of -icus -IC ]