Main Entry: hem·lock

Pronunciation: \ˈhem-ˌläk\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English hemlok, from Old English hemlic

Date: before 12th century

1 a : any of several poisonous herbs (as a poison hemlock or a water hemlock) of the carrot family having finely cut leaves and small white flowers b : a drug or lethal drink prepared from the poison hemlock
2 : any of a genus (Tsuga) of evergreen coniferous trees of the pine family; also : the soft light splintery wood of a hemlock