n :  a perennial marsh herb (Acorus calamus) of the arum family (Araceae) having long leaves and a pungent rootstock and used esp. formerly as a flavoring agent and in folk medicine but now largely abandoned because of demonstrated carcinogenicity and toxicity in laboratory animals - see CALAMUS  .
 
 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2024.