Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - basil

 or ~ius  biographical name Saint circa 329-379 the Great church father; bishop of Caesarea BASIL  noun  Etymology: Middle French ~e, from Late Latin ~icum, from Greek ~ikon, from neuter of ~ikos  Date: 15th century  1. any of several aromatic herbs (genus Ocimum) of the mint family; especially sweet ~  2. the dried or fresh leaves of a ~ used especially as a seasoning