valerian Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a plant of the genus Valeriana having lobed or dissected leaves and cymose white or pink flowers

WordNet

Va*le"ri*an noun
Etymology
LL. valeriana, perhaps from some person named Valerius, or fr. L. valere to be strong. powerful, on account of its medicinal virtues: cf. F. valériane.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Valeriana. The root of the officinal valerian (V. officinalis) has a strong smell, and is much used in medicine as an antispasmodic.

Webster 1913