Wormwood /(?)/

Worm·wood

Wormwood

n.
  1. A composite plant (Artemisia Absinthium), having a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen garments from moths. It gives the peculiar flavor to the cordial called absinthe. The volatile oil is a narcotic poison. The term is often extended to other species of the same genus. (Bot.)
  2. Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness.
    Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood.
    — Deut. xxix. 18.

Phrases & Compounds

Roman wormwood
an American weed (Ambrosia artemisiaefolia); hogweed.
Tree wormwood
a species of Artemisia (probably Artemisia variabilis) with woody stems.
Wormwood hare
a variety of the common hare (Lepus timidus); -- so named from its color.