Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cowslip \Cow"slip`\ (-sl[i^]p`), n. [AS. c[=u]slyppe,
   c[=u]sloppe, prob. orig., cow's droppings. Cf. {Slop}, n.]
   (Bot.)
   1. A common flower in England ({Primula veris}) having yellow
      blossoms and appearing in early spring. It is often
      cultivated in the United States.

   2. In the United States, the marsh marigold ({Caltha
      palustris}), appearing in wet places in early spring and
      often used as a pot herb. It is nearer to a buttercup than
      to a true cowslip. See Illust. of {Marsh marigold}.

   {American cowslip} (Bot.), a pretty flower of the West
      ({Dodecatheon Meadia}), belonging to the same order
      ({Primulace[ae]}) with the English cowslip.

   {French cowslip} (Bot.), bear's-ear ({Primula Auricula}).

Source : WordNet®

Caltha palustris
     n : swamp plant of Europe and North America having bright yellow
         flowers resembling buttercups [syn: {marsh marigold}, {kingcup},
          {meadow bright}, {May blob}, {cowslip}, {water dragon}]