noun

1. any of various oily or gummy aromatic resins obtained from various plants and containing either benzoic or cinnamic acid
2. any of various aromatic, resinous oils or fluids
3. any aromatic preparation made with balsam, as certain medical dressings
4. anything healing or soothing; balm
5. any of various plants or trees of various families that yield balsam, as the balsam fir
6. any of various species of the impatiens, esp. the garden balsam

Etymology: OE < L balsamum: see balm

adjective