hyssop

 
Pronunciation: /ˈhɪsəp/

noun

  • 1a small bushy aromatic plant of the mint family, the bitter minty leaves of which are used in cookery and herbal medicine.
    • Hyssopus officinalis, family Labiatae
  • 2(in biblical use) a wild shrub of uncertain identity whose twigs were used for sprinkling in ancient Jewish rites of purification.

Origin:

Old English hysope (reinforced in Middle English by Old French ysope), via Latin from Greek hyssōpos, of Semitic origin