Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Oleander \O`le*an"der\, n. [F. ol['e]andre (cf. It. oleandro,
   LL. lorandrum), prob. corrupted, under the influence of
   laurus laurel, fr. L. rhododendron, Gr. ?; ? rose + ? tree.]
   (Bot.)
   A beautiful evergreen shrub of the Dogbane family, having
   clusters of fragrant red or white flowers. It is native of
   the East Indies, but the red variety has become common in the
   south of Europe. Called also {rosebay}, {rose laurel}, and
   {South-sea rose}.

   Note: Every part of the plant is dangerously poisonous, and
         death has occured from using its wood for skewers in
         cooking meat.