bay rum

noun

1. a fragrant liquid used chiefly as an aftershaving lotion, prepared by distilling the leaves of the tropical American bay, Pimenta racemosa, with rum or by mixing oil from the leaves with alcohol, water, and other oils.

bay rum

noun

1. an aromatic liquid, used in medicines and cosmetics, originally obtained by distilling the leaves of the bayberry tree ( Pimenta racemosa ) with rum: now also synthesized from alcohol, water, and various oils

2. another name for bayberry

Word History and Origins

Origin of bay rum¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40