horehound, n. [OE. horehune, AS. hārhune; hār hoar, gray + hune horehound; cf. L. cunila a species of organum, Gr. , Skr. kny to smell.].

A plant of the genus Marrubium (Marrubium vulgare), which has a bitter taste, and is a weak tonic, used as a household remedy for colds, coughing, etc. [1913 Webster]
A lozenge or tablet, usually sweetened, containing extract of horehound, used as a remedy for a cough or a sore throat. [PJC]

Fetid horehound, or Black horehound, a disagreeable plant resembling horehound (Ballota nigra). -- Water horehound, a species of the genus Lycopus, resembling mint, but not aromatic.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

horehound, n. (also hoarhound)
1 a a herbaceous plant, Marrubium vulgare, with a white cottony covering on its stem and leaves. b its bitter aromatic juice used against coughs etc.
2 a herbaceous plant, Ballota nigra, with an unpleasant aroma.

Etymology

OE hare hune f. har HOAR + hune a plant

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ROGET THESAURUS

horehound

Fragrance

N fragrance, aroma, redolence, perfume, bouquet, essence, scent, sweet smell, aromatic perfume, agalloch, agallochium, aloes wood, bay rum, calambac, calambour, champak, horehound, lign-aloes, marrubium, mint, muskrat, napha water, olibanum, spirit of myrcia, essential oil, incense, musk, frankincense, pastil, pastille, myrrh, perfumes of Arabia, otto, ottar, attar, bergamot, balm, civet, potpourri, pulvil, nosegay, scentbag, sachet, smelling bottle, vinaigrette, eau de Cologne, toilet water, lotion, after-shave lotion, thurification, perfumer, eucalyptus oil, pinene, fragrant, aromatic, redolent, spicy, savory, balmy, scented, sweet-smelling, sweet-scented, perfumed, perfumatory, thuriferous, fragrant as a rose, muscadine, ambrosial.

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