Acheweed

/ˈeɪtʃˌwiːd/ noun

Definition

An old English name for a plant, possibly a climbing or straggling herb, though the specific botanical identity is uncertain.

Etymology

From Old English elements: ache (a plant name, possibly from Latin agon or related to ache meaning pain) plus weed (Old English wyrt, a general term for plants and herbs). Medieval plant names often changed meaning over time.

Kelly Says

Old plant names are detective work—'acheweed' shows up in medieval herbals but we're not entirely sure which actual plant it refers to, since common names drifted and morphed centuries ago.

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