tormentil

1 definition found

tormentil - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Tormentil \Tor"men*til\, n. [F. tormentille; cf. Pr., It., & NL.
     tormentilla, Sp. tormentila; all fr. L. tormentum pain. So
     called because it is said to allay pain. See Torment.]
     (Bot.)
     A rosaceous herb (Potentilla Tormentilla), the root of
     which is used as a powerful astringent, and for alleviating
     gripes, or tormina, in diarrhea.
     [1913 Webster]