Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - marshmallow

 noun  Date: before 12th century  1. a pink-flowered European perennial herb (Althaea officinalis) of the mallow family that is naturalized in the eastern United States and has flowers, leaves, and roots used in herbal remedies  2. a sweet white confection usually in the form of a spread or small spongy cylindrical pieces now usually made from corn syrup, sugar, albumen, and gelatin but formerly from the ~'s root; also one of these spongy pieces toasted ~s on sticks over a campfire  • ~y adjective