Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Parsnip
Pars′nip
(pärs′nĭp)
, Noun.
[OE.
parsnepe
, from a French form, fr. L. pastinaca
; cf. pastinare
to dig up, pastinum
a kind of dibble; cf. OF. pastenade
, pastenaque
.] (Bot.)
The aromatic and edible spindle-shaped root of the cultivated form of the
Pastinaca sativa
, a biennial umbelliferous plant which is very poisonous in its wild state; also, the plant itself. Cow parsnip
. See
– Cow parsnip
. Meadow parsnip
, the European cow parsnip.
– Poison parsnip
, the wild stock of the parsnip.
– Water parsnip
, any plant of the umbelliferous genus
Sium
, the species of which are poisonous.