horehound

noun hore·hound \ ˈhȯr-ˌhau̇nd \

Definition of horehound

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

Recent Examples of horehound from 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, "Teacher-turned-environmentalist finds both sanctuary and poetry in Orange County’s wilderness," 13 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'horehound.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of horehound

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

horehound

noun hore·hound

variants: also hoarhound play \ˈhō(ə)r-ˌhau̇nd, ˈhȯ(ə)r-\

medical Definition of horehound

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