ETYM Old Eng. parsnepe, from a French form, from Latin pastinaca; cf. pastinare to dig up, pastinum a kind of dibble; cf. Old Fren. pastenade, pastenaque.
1. A strong-scented plant cultivated for its edible root; SYN. Pastinaca sativa.
2. The whitish root of cultivated parsnip.
3. Whitish edible root; eaten cooked.
Temperate Eurasian biennial Pastinaca sativa of the carrot family Umbelliferae, with a fleshy edible root.