1. (Science: botany) A composite plant (artemisia absinthium), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen garments from moths. It gives the peculiar flavor to the cordial called absinthe. The volatile oil is a narcotic poison. The term is often extended to other species of the same genus.
Origin: AS. Wermd, akin to OHG. Wermuota, wormuota, G. Wermuth, wermut; of uncertain origin.