/kat"nip/ , n.
a plant, Nepeta cataria, of the mint family, having egg-shaped leaves containing aromatic oils that are a cat attractant.
Also, esp. Brit., catmint .
[ 1705-15, Amer.; CAT 1 + nip, var. of ME nep catnip, apocopated var. of OE nepte nepta, var. of L nepeta ]