from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Oleander \O`le*an"der\, n. [F. ol['e]andre (cf. It. oleandro,
LL. lorandrum), prob. corrupted, under the influence of
laurus laurel, fr. L. rhododendron, Gr. ?; ? rose + ? tree.]
(Bot.)
A beautiful evergreen shrub ({Nerium oleander}) of the
Dogbane family, having clusters of fragrant red, white, or
pink flowers. It is a native of the East Indies, but the red
variety has become common in the south of Europe. Called also
{rosebay}, {rose laurel}, and {South-sea rose}.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: Every part of the plant is dangerously poisonous, and
death has occured from using its wood for skewers in
cooking meat.
[1913 Webster]