a European plant, Acinos arvensis, having clusters of small violet-and-white flowers: family Lamiaceae
basil thyme in American English
noun
a plant, Acinos thymoides, of the mint family, having egg-shaped leaves and purplish flowers
Word origin
[1630–40]This word is first recorded in the period 1630–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: atmosphere, cachet, integrate, outfield, platoon