\Bot"a*ny\, n.; pl. {Botanies}. [F. botanique, a. & n.,
fr. Gr. ? botanic, fr. ? herb, plant, fr. ? to feed, graze.]
1. The science which treats of the structure of plants, the
   functions of their parts, their places of growth, their
   classification, and the terms which are employed in their
   description and denomination. See {Plant}.
2. A book which treats of the science of botany.
Note: Botany is divided into various departments; as,
{Structural Botany}, which investigates the structure and
   organic composition of plants;
{Physiological Botany}, the study of their functions and
   life; and
{Systematic Botany}, which has to do with their
   classification, description, nomenclature, etc.