Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Laurel \Lau"rel\, n. [OE. lorel, laurer, lorer, OF. lorier,
   laurier, F. laurier, (assumed) LL. Laurarius, fr. L. laurus.]
   1. (Bot.) An evergreen shrub, of the genus {Laurus} ({L.
      nobilis}), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape,
      with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their
      axils; -- called also {sweet bay}.

   Note: The fruit is a purple berry. It is found about the
         Mediterranean, and was early used by the ancient Greeks
         to crown the victor in the games of Apollo. At a later
         period, academic honors were indicated by a crown of
         laurel, with the fruit. The leaves and tree yield an
         aromatic oil, used to flavor the bay water of commerce.

   Note: The name is extended to other plants which in some
         respect resemble the true laurel. See Phrases, below.

   2. A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; --
      especially in the plural; as, to win laurels.

   3. An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because
      the king's head on it was crowned with laurel.

   {Laurel water}, water distilled from the fresh leaves of the
      cherry laurel, and containing prussic acid and other
      products carried over in the process.

   {American laurel}, or {Mountain laurel}, {Kalmia latifolia}.
      See under {Mountain}.

   {California laurel}, {Umbellularia Californica}.

   {Cherry laurel} (in England called {laurel}). See under
      {Cherry}.

   {Great laurel}, the rosebay ({Rhododendron maximum}).

   {Ground laurel}, trailing arbutus.

   {New Zealand laurel}, {Laurelia Nov[ae] Zelandi[ae]}.

   {Portugal laurel}, the {Prunus Lusitanica}.

   {Rose laurel}, the oleander. See {Oleander}.

   {Sheep laurel}, a poisonous shrub, {Kalmia angustifolia},
      smaller than the mountain laurel, and with smaller and
      redder flowers.

   {Spurge laurel}, {Daphne Laureola}.

   {West Indian laurel}, {Prunus occidentalis}.

Source : WordNet®

Umbellularia californica
     n : Pacific coast tree having aromatic foliage and small
         umbellate flowers followed by olivelike fruit; yields a
         hard tough wood [syn: {California laurel}, {California
         bay tree}, {Oregon myrtle}, {pepperwood}, {spice tree}, {sassafras
         laurel}, {California olive}, {mountain laurel}]