Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - pansy

 I. noun  (plural pansies)  Etymology: Middle English pancy, pensee, from Middle French pensee, from pensee thought, from feminine of pense, past participle of penser to think, from Latin pensare to ponder — more at pensive  Date: 15th century  1. a garden plant (Viola wittrockiana) derived chiefly from the hybridization of the European Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor) with other wild violets; also its flower  2.  a. usually disparaging a weak or effeminate man or boy  b. usually disparaging a male homosexual  II. adjective  Date: 1929 usually disparaging effeminate 1; also homosexual