Definition of sarsaparilla

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sar·sa·pa·ril·la    (ssp-rl, särs-) KEY 

NOUN:

1. 1. Any of several tropical American plants of the genus Smilax, having fragrant roots used as a flavoring.
   2. The dried roots of any of these plants.
   3. A sweet soft drink flavored with these roots.
2. Either of two North American plants (Aralia hispida or A. nudicaulis) having umbels of small white flowers and bipinnately compound leaves.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Spanish zarzaparrilla : zarza, bramble (from Arabic aras, colloquial variant of irs, from arasa, to be vicious, ultimately from arra; see rr in Semitic roots) + parrilla, diminutive of parra, vine