Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DIT'TA-NY, n. [L. dictamnus; Gr. δικταμνος, or δικταμον.]

The white and the red dittany, are plants of the genus Dictamnus. Their leaves are covered with a white down; in smell, they resemble lemon-thyme, but are more aromatic. When fresh, they yield an essential oil. The dittany of Crete is a species of Origanum, and the bastard dittany is a species of Marrubium. – Encyc. Fam. of Plants.