The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

obituary \o*bit"u*a*ry\, n.; pl. Obituaries. [Cf. F.
   obituaire. See Obit.]
   1. That which pertains to, or is called forth by, the obit or
      death of a person; esp., an account of a deceased person.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Especially: A notice of the death of a person, published
      in a newspaper or other periodical, accompanied by a
      biographical sketch which may be brief ro extended; as,
      the funeral director arranged placed an obituary in the
      local papaer.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

   3. pl. The section of a newspaper in which obituaries[2] are
      printed; as, I saw the notice of his death in the
      obituaries.
      [PJC]

   4. (R. C. Ch.) A list of the dead, or a register of
      anniversary days when service is performed for the dead.
      [1913 Webster]