horehound

noun

hore·​hound ˈhȯr-ˌhau̇nd 

1

a

: an Old World bitter perennial mint (Marrubium vulgare) with downy leaves

b

: an extract or confection made from the dried leaves and flowering tops of this plant

2

: any of several mints resembling the horehound

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Volunteers like Wright remove invasive plant species such as fennel, pampas grass, castor bean, fountain grass, horehound, Sahara mustard, tecolote. —David Whiting, Orange County Register, 13 Jan. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English horhoune, from Old English hārhūne, from hār hoary + hūne horehound — more at hoar

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

horehound

noun

hore·​hound

variants also hoarhound

ˈhō(ə)r-ˌhau̇nd, ˈhȯ(ə)r- 

1

: a European aromatic mint (Marrubium vulgare) that is naturalized in the United States, has pubescent leaves and small axillary flowers, has a very bitter taste, and is used as a tonic and anthelmintic

called also white horehound

2

: an extract or confection made from horehound and used as a remedy for coughs and colds