oregano
n. uncountablen. a small plant with purple flowers and leaves that have a strong, spicy smell. You use the dried leaves as a flavoring in many Mediterranean and Mexican dishes.
n. a small shrub of the mint family, native to the Mediterranean region, valued for its aromatic leaves used as a culinary herb.
I added fresh oregano to the tomato sauce.
The chef sprinkled dried oregano over the grilled vegetables to give them a traditional Mediterranean flavor.
While oregano is most commonly associated with Italian and Mexican cuisines, it also plays a significant role in Greek and Turkish culinary traditions, often paired with olive oil and lemon juice.
18th century, from Spanish orégano (“wild marjoram”), from Latin orīganum, from Ancient Greek ὀρίγανον (oríganon). Doublet of origanum.