a fragrant liquid used chiefly as an aftershaving lotion, prepared by distilling the leaves of the tropical American bay, Pimenta racemosa, with rum or by mixing oil from the leaves with alcohol, water, and other oils.
Origin
1830-40, Americanism
British Dictionary definitions for bay rum
bay rum
noun
1.
an aromatic liquid, used in medicines and cosmetics, originally obtained by distilling the leaves of the bayberry tree (Pimenta racemosa) with rum: now also synthesized from alcohol, water, and various oils