bugbane

[ buhg-beyn ]

noun

1. any of several tall, erect plants belonging to the genus Cimicifuga, of the buttercup family, as C. americana, of the eastern U.S., having loose, elongated clusters of white flowers.

bugbane

/ ˈbʌɡˌbeɪn /

noun

1. any of several ranunculaceous plants of the genus Cimicifuga , esp C. foetida of Europe, whose flowers are reputed to repel insects

Word History and Origins

Origin of bugbane¹

1795–1805; bug ¹ + bane; so called because it supposedly repels insects