Curcuma zedoaria

Zedoary ed"o*a*ry, n. [F. z['e]doaire, LL. zedoaria; cf. It. zedoaria, zettovario, Pg. zedoaria, Sp. zedoaria, cedoaria; all fr. Ar. & Per. zedw?r.] (Med.) A medicinal substance obtained in the East Indies, having a fragrant smell, and a warm, bitter, aromatic taste. It is used in medicine as a stimulant. [1913 Webster]

Note: It is the rhizome of different species of {Curcuma}, esp. {Curcuma zedoaria}, and comes in short, firm pieces, externally of a wrinkled gray, ash-colored appearance, but within of a brownish red color. There are two kinds, round zedoary, and long zedoary. [1913 Webster]