/dit"n ee/ , n. , pl. dittanies .
1. a Cretan plant, Origanum dictamnus, of the mint family, having spikes of purple flowers and formerly believed to have medicinal qualities.
2. Also called stone mint . a North American plant, Cunila origanoides, of the mint family, bearing clusters of purplish flowers.
3. See gas plant .
[ 1350-1400; ME ditane, detany dita ( i ) n dictamnus, dictamnum díktamnon, perh. akin to Díkte, a mountain in Crete where the herb abounded ]