The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Bryony \Bry"o*ny\ (br[imac]"[-o]*n[y^]), n. [L. bryonia, Gr.
   brywni`a, fr. bry`ein to swell, esp. of plants.] (Bot.)
   The common name of several cucurbitaceous plants of the genus
   Bryonia. The root of Bryonia alba (rough bryony or
   white bryony) and of Bryonia dioica is a strong,
   irritating cathartic.
   [1913 Webster]

   Black bryony, a plant (Tamus communis) so named from its
      dark glossy leaves and black root; black bindweed.
      [1913 Webster]