But'ter·bur` noun (Botany) A broad-leaved plant ( Petasites vulgaris ) of the Composite family, said to have been used in England for wrapping up pats of butter. Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/B/118
Butterbur: A waterside plant with purple flowers and large soft leaves in which pats of butter were once wrapped during hot weather in England. The rhizome (root) of butterbur has been used as an herbal remedy for fever, asthma, colds, and urinary complaints and was also thought to be a cardiac 'tonic' and a diuretic. Butterbur holds some promise a... Found on http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=38459