garlic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun bulbous herb of southern Europe widely naturalized; bulb breaks up into separate strong-flavored cloves
    Allium sativum.
  2. noun aromatic bulb used as seasoning
    ail.

WordNet

Gar"lic noun
Etymology
OE. garlek, AS. garleác; gar spear, lance + leác leek. See Gar, n., and Leek.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Allium (A. sativum is the cultivated variety), having a bulbous root, a very strong smell, and an acrid, pungent taste. Each root is composed of several lesser bulbs, called cloves of garlic, inclosed in a common membranous coat, and easily separable.
  2. A kind of jig or farce. Obs. Taylor (1630).

Webster 1913