/rohz"mair'ee, -meuh ree/ , n. , pl. rosemaries .
an evergreen shrub, Rosmarinus officinalis, of the mint family, native to the Mediterranean region, having leathery, narrow leaves and pale-blue, bell-shaped flowers, used as a seasoning and in perfumery and medicine: a traditional symbol of remembrance.
[ 1400-50; late ME rose mary (by folk etym., influenced by ROSE 1 and the name Mary ) ros dew + marinus marine, or ros maris dew of the sea (in E the final -s mistaken for pl. sign) ]