from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Semen \Se"men\ (s[=e]"m[e^]n), n.; pl. {Semina}
(s[e^]m"[i^]*n[.a]). [L., from the root of serere, satum, to
sow. See {Sow} to scatter seed.]
1. (Bot.) The seed of plants.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Physiol.) The seed or fecundating fluid of male animals;
sperm. It is a white or whitish viscid fluid secreted by
the testes, characterized by the presence of spermatozoids
to which it owes its generative power.
[1913 Webster]
{Semen contra}, or {Semen cinae} or {Semen cynae}, a strong
aromatic, bitter drug, imported from Aleppo and Barbary,
said to consist of the leaves, peduncles, and unexpanded
flowers of various species of {Artemisia}; wormseed.
[1913 Webster]