genus of leguminous shrubs, 1731, coined in Modern Latin (1619) from Latin mimus "mime" (see mime, n.) + -osa, adjectival suffix (fem. of -osus). So called because some species (including the common Sensitive Plant) fold leaves when touched, seeming to mimic animal behavior. The alcoholic drink (by 1977) is so called from its yellowish color, which resembles that of the mimosa flower.