pennyroyals

Noun

pennyroyal (plural pennyroyals)

1. Mentha pulegium, a plant of the mint family, formerly much used in various medicinal treatments and as a flea repellent.
   • Dioscorides says that Pennyroyal makes thin, tough phlegm, warms the coldness of any part whereto it is applied, and digests raw or corrupt matter.1653, Nicholas Culpeper, The English Physician Enlarged, Folio Society, published 2007, page 216

   Synonyms:

   European pennyroyal, pennyrile, pudding grass, mosquito plant, squaw mint

2. (obsolete) A traditional old well-known song, especially a spiritual folksong.
   • Offenbach and the old college airs, song and dance tunes and pennyroyals, formed the staples for the introduction of hits on manners and times.1878 December, “He Playing She”, in The Elocutionist's Journal, number 22, page 4

See all 3 meanings of pennyroyal