Meaning

noun any seed plant yielding balsam

noun any of various fragrant oleoresins used in medicines and perfumes

noun an ointment containing a fragrant resin

originBorrowed from Latin balsamum, from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (bálsamon, “balsam”), of Semitic origin (Hebrew בושם (“spice, perfume”)); compare Old English balsam, balsamum (“balsam, balm”), Doublet of balm and desman. Not related to balsa.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0