[L. basilicum, Gr. βασιλικόν (sc. φάρμακον drug, plaster), neut. of adj. basilicus, βασιλικός, royal.] Name given to several ointments supposed to possess ‘sovereign’ virtues.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Formul., T j. The fourth fourme is the great basilicon that is praysed ouer all, and is called tetrafarmacum.
1659. Culpepper, Pharm. Lond., 298. Basilicon, the greater. Take of white Wax, Pine Rozin, Heifers suet, [etc.]
1762. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, V. xxvii. 96. He had stepped down for lint and basilicon.
1782. Schotte, in Phil. Trans., LXXIII. 88. A pledget of basilicum was put over it.
¶ See also BASIL sb.1
