Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCAM'MO-NY, n. [L. scammonia, from the Persian.]

1. A plant of the genus Convolvuldur.
2. An inspissated sap obtained from the plant Convolvulus Scammonia, of a blackish gray color, a nauseous smell, and a bitter and acrid taste. The best scammony comes from Aleppo, in light spungy masses, easily friable. That of Smyrna is black, ponderous, and mixed with extraneous matter. – Fourcroy. Encyc.