Pennyroyal

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /pÉ›nɪˈɹɔɪəl/

Origin

Apparently an alteration (after penny) of Anglo-Norman puliol royal, from Latin pulegium.

Full definition of pennyroyal

Noun

1. , a plant of the mint family, formerly much used in various medicinal treatments and as a flea repellant.
• 1653, Nicholas Culpeper, The English Physician Enlarged, Folio Society 2007, p. 216:Dioscorides says that Pennyroyal makes thin, tough phlegm, warms the coldness of any part whereto it is applied, and digests raw or corrupt matter.