bugbane

[ buhg-beyn ]
/ ˈbʌgˌbeɪn /

noun

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.

Origin of bugbane

1795–1805; bug1 + bane; so called because it supposedly repels insects

Words nearby bugbane

bugaku, bugaloo, buganda, bugatti, bugayev, bugbane, bugbear, bugboy, bugeye, bugger, bugger about

British Dictionary definitions for bugbane

bugbane
/ (ˈbʌɡˌbeɪn) /

noun

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