bay rum

noun

1. a fragrant liquid used chiefly as an aftershaving lotion, prepared by distilling the leaves of the tropical American bay, Pimenta racemosa, with rum or by mixing oil from the leaves with alcohol, water, and other oils.

bay rum

noun

1. an aromatic liquid, used in medicines and cosmetics, originally obtained by distilling the leaves of the bayberry tree ( Pimenta racemosa ) with rum: now also synthesized from alcohol, water, and various oils
2. bay rum tree
   another name for bayberry

Word History and Origins

Origin of bay rum¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

You see, he'd forgot to buy any rum when we was in our last port and, havin' the bay rum along he fetched that.

From Project Gutenberg

A charming addition to the safety razor is a little fountain attachment that sprinkles the user with Bay Rum.

From Project Gutenberg

If sufficient friction can not be given, a small amount of bay rum applied with the palm of the hand will be found efficacious.

From Project Gutenberg

Ysobel crowded into a corner and nudged a youthful-looking old man in a blue-and-white striped collar and too much bay-rum.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm like Joel Knowles—he said when he couldn't get whisky he worried along best he could with bay rum.

From Project Gutenberg