Any plant of the composite genus Tanacetum. The common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) has finely divided leaves, a strong aromatic odor, and a very bitter taste. It is used for medicinal and culinary purposes. [1913 Webster]
A dish common in the seventeenth century, made of eggs, sugar, rose water, cream, and the juice of herbs, baked with butter in a shallow dish. Pepys. [1913 Webster]
Double tansy(Bot.), a variety of the common tansy with the leaves more dissected than usual. --
Tansy mustard(Bot.), a plant (Sisymbrium canescens) of the Mustard family, with tansylike leaves.
, n. (pl. -ies) any plant of the genus Tanacetum, esp. T. vulgare with yellow button-like flowers and aromatic leaves, formerly used in medicines and cookery.
Etymology
ME f. OF tanesie f. med.L athanasia immortality f. Gk