bay rum

American  

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.

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bay rum British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of bay rum

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

Russell’s Santa probably doesn’t smell like peppermint either, but he’s rough around the edges in just the right proportion to envision the guy being partial to a good quality bay rum.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2018

A correspondent believes it was misleading, in offering an original recipe for a cocktail inspired by bay rum, to strongly imply that Cardamaro and cardamom bitters share an interchangeable flavor.

From Slate • Dec. 26, 2013

Over the centuries, subtle clouds of bay rum wafted east to London and west to the Oregon Trail, as scalps were smartly salved and skin restoratively smacked.

From Slate • Oct. 16, 2013

In Valdosta, Ga., the watchful city council announced that henceforth liquor licenses would be required for any place of business selling bay rum.

From Time Magazine Archive

Father always smelled of bay rum, the shaving lotion he used, and Mother smelled of some kind of perfume or cologne.

From "The Cay" by Theodore Taylor