Ferula \Fer"u*la\, n. [L. ferula giant fennel (its stalks were
used in punishing schoolboys), rod, whip, fr. ferire to
strike; akin to OHG. berjan, Icel. berja. Cf. {Ferule}.]
1. A ferule. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
[1913 Webster]
2. The imperial scepter in the Byzantine or Eastern Empire.
[1913 Webster]
3. [capitalized] A genus of plants of the parsley family
{Apiaceae} (of the order {Umbelliferae}), including some
yielding {asafetida}. Members include {Ferula asafoetida}
({Ferula foetida}), the giant fennel ({Ferula communis)},
and {Ferula orientalis}.
[PJC]