Origanum (o-rig'an-um). 1

Marjoram; a genus of labiate undershrubs or herbs. 2. Of the U. S. Ph., 1880, the herb of O. vulgar e. oil of o. The volatile oil of O. vulgar e; an acrid, stimulating oil, of yellowish color and camphoraceous odor, consisting of a terpene, C10H16, with sometimes small proportions of ordinary camphor. O. major an a. Sweet marjoram. It has a peculiar aromatic odor and a warm, bitterish taste, and yields tannin and a volatile oil, to which the excitant and mildly tonic properties of the plant are due. O. vulgare. Wild marjoram. The herb was formerly used as a diaphoretic and emmenagogue and externally in poultices and fomentations. It is stimulant and mildly tonic. [Gr., origan on.1