Main Entry:

ba·sil

Pronunciation:

\ˈba-zəl, ˈbā-, -səl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle French basile, from Late Latin basilicum, from Greek basilikon, from neuter of basilikos

Date:

15th century

1: any of several aromatic herbs (genus Ocimum) of the mint family ; especially : sweet basil2: the dried or fresh leaves of a basil used especially as a seasoning