Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Zedoary \Zed"o*a*ry\, n. [F. z['e]doaire, LL. zedoaria; cf. It.
   zedoaria, zettovario, Pg. zedoaria, Sp. zedoaria, cedoaria;
   all fr. Ar. & Per. zedw?r.] (Med.)
   A medicinal substance obtained in the East Indies, having a
   fragrant smell, and a warm, bitter, aromatic taste. It is
   used in medicine as a stimulant.

   Note: It is the rhizome of different species of {Curcuma},
         esp. {C. zedoaria}, and comes in short, firm pieces,
         externally of a wrinkled gray, ash-colored appearance,
         but within of a brownish red color. There are two
         kinds, round zedoary, and long zedoary.