*wormwood*

n. [ AS. werm&unr_;d, akin to OHG. wermuota, wormuota, G. wermuth, wermut; of uncertain origin. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Bot.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood. Deut. xxix. 18. [ 1913 Webster ]

Roman wormwood (Bot.), an American weed (Ambrosia artemisiaefolia); hogweed. --
Tree wormwood (Bot.), a species of Artemisia (probably Artemisia variabilis) with woody stems. --
Wormwood hare (Zool.), a variety of the common hare (Lepus timidus); -- so named from its color. [ 1913 Webster ]