Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Bryony \Bry"o*ny\ (br[imac]"[-o]*n[y^]), n. [L. bryonia, Gr.
   brywni`a, fr. bry`ein to swell, esp. of plants.] (Bot.)
   The common name of several cucurbitaceous plants of the genus
   {Bryonia}. The root of {B. alba} (rough or {white bryony})
   and of {B. dioica} is a strong, irritating cathartic.

   {Black bryony}, a plant ({Tamus communis}) so named from its
      dark glossy leaves and black root; black bindweed.

Source : WordNet®

bryony
     n : a tendril-bearing vine of the genus Bryonia having large
         leaves and small flowers and yielding acrid juice with
         emetic and purgative properties [syn: {briony}]