Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Comfrey
Com′frey
,Noun.
[Prob. from F.
conferve
, L. conferva
, fr. confervere
to boil together, in medical language, to heal, grow together. So called on account of its healing power, for which reason it was also called consolida
.] (Bot.)
A rough, hairy, perennial plant of several species, of the genus
Symphytum
. ☞ A decoction of the mucilaginous root of the “common comfrey” (
Symphytum officinale
) is used in cough mixtures, etc.; and the gigantic “prickly comfrey” (Symphytum asperrimum
) is somewhat cultivated as a forage plant.