noun pl. eryngoes -·goes

1. any of a genus (Eryngium) of plants of the umbel family, with flowers in dense heads and usually stiff, spiny leaves
2. Obsolete the candied root of the sea holly, formerly used as an aphrodisiac

Etymology: via Sp or It eringio < L eryngium < Gr eryngion, dim. of ēryngos, prob. < ear, eros, spring, hence spring flower