Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Elder \El"der\, n. [OE. ellern, eller, AS. ellen, cf. LG.
   elloorn; perh. akin to OHG. holantar, holuntar, G. holunder;
   or perh. to E. alder, n.] (Bot.)
   A genus of shrubs ({Sambucus}) having broad umbels of white
   flowers, and small black or red berries.

   Note: The common North American species is {Sambucus
         Canadensis}; the common European species ({S. nigra})
         forms a small tree. The red-berried elder is {S.
         pubens}. The berries are diaphoretic and aperient.

   {Box elder}. See under 1st {Box}.

   {Dwarf elder}. See {Danewort}.

   {Elder tree}. (Bot.) Same as {Elder}. --Shak.

   {Marsh elder}, the cranberry tree {Viburnum Opulus}).