galangal

gal·an·gal

noun \gə-ˈlaŋ-gəl\

Definition of GALANGAL

1

: either of two eastern Asian perennial herbs (Alpinia galanga and A. officinarum) of the ginger family with dark green sword-shaped leaves and pungent aromatic rhizomes

2

: the fresh, dried, or ground rhizome of a galangal used in cookery as a spice and sometimes medicinally—called also galangal root