From Greek 'basilikon' (royal plant), from 'basileus' (king) — basil was literally the king of herbs.
Definition
An aromatic herb of the mint family, used in cooking.
The Full Story
Greek1400swell-attested
From OldFrench 'basile,' from Medieval Latin 'basilicum,' from Greek 'basilikón (phytón)' (royal plant), from 'basileús' (king). The herb was called 'royal' either because it was believed to have been used in making royal perfumes and medicines, or simply because it was considered the king of herbs for its supreme aroma. The Greek 'basileús' is of uncertain pre-Greek origin — it may be a loanword from a pre-Indo-European Mediterranean