[a. Fr. aspic (in huile d’aspic vulgar form of huile de spic) for spic, ad. It. spigo the Great Lavender, orig. Spikenard, = OF. espic:—L. spīcus (in med.L.) Spikenard, collateral form of spīca spike.] The Great Lavender or Spike (Lavandula Spica), a plant from which a volatile aromatic oil is obtained.
1604. E. G., trans. D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, IV. xxix. 288. Oyle of Aspicke, which the Physitians and Painters vse much, the one for plasters, the other to vernish their pictures.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Oil, Oil of aspic or spike.
1819. Rees, Encycl., III. Aspic … grows in plenty in Languedoc.
