herb native to Europe, naturalized in the U.S., noted for its aromatic, pungent oil, 1690s, from pepper (n.) + mint (n.1). Compare Dutch pepermunt, German Pfeffermünze. As "candy drop flavored with peppermint" by 1829 (peppermint-drop is by 1799).
pepper-box
pepper-caster
peppercorn
pepperidge
pepper-mill
peppermint
pepperoni
pepper-pot
peppery
peppy
Pepsi-Cola