Rose"ma*ry (?), n. [OE. rosmarine, L. rosmarinus; ros dew (cf. Russ. rosa, Lith. rasa, Skr. rasa juice) + marinus marine: cf. F. romarin. In English the word has been changed as if it meant the rose of Mary. See Marine.]
A labiate shrub (Rosmarinus officinalis) with narrow grayish leaves, growing native in the southern part of France, Spain, and Italy, also in Asia Minor and in China. It has a fragrant smell, and a warm, pungent, bitterish taste. It is used in cookery, perfumery, etc., and is an emblem of fidelity or constancy.
There's rosemary, that's for remembrance.
Shak.
Marsh rosemary. (a) A little shrub Andromeda polifolia growing in cold swamps and having leaves like those of the rosemary. (b) See under Marsh. -- Rosemary pine, the loblolly pine. See under Loblolly.
© Webster 1913.