ETYM Old Eng. herbe, erbe, Old Fren. herbe, erbe, French herbe, Latin herba; perh. akin to Greek phorbe food, pasture, pherbein to feed.
1. A plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests; SYN. herbaceous plant.
2. Aromatic potherb used in cookery for its savory qualities.
Any plant (usually a flowering plant) tasting sweet, bitter, aromatic, or pungent, used in cooking, medicine, or perfumery; technically, a herb is any plant in which the aerial parts do not remain above ground at the end of the growing season.