mezereon

noun

me·​ze·​re·​on mə-ˈzir-ē-ən 

: a small Eurasian shrub (Daphne mezereum of the family Thymelaeaceae, the mezereon family) with purple flowers and poisonous emetic leaves, fruit, and bark

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mizerion, from Medieval Latin mezereon, from Arabic māzariyūn, perhaps from Persian māzaryūn

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mezereon

noun

me·​ze·​re·​on mə-ˈzir-ē-ən 

: a small European shrub of the genus Daphne (D. mezereum of the family Thymelaeaceae, the mezereon family) with fragrant lilac purple flowers and poisonous emetic leaves, fruit, and bark