Bearbane

/ˈbɛərbeɪn/ noun

Definition

A plant, especially certain herbs or shrubs, that is believed or claimed to repel bears or protect against bears.

Etymology

From bear (Old English 'bera') combined with bane (Old English 'bana', meaning 'poison' or 'harm'). Medieval herbals named plants after creatures they supposedly drove away.

Kelly Says

Medieval people named plants 'bearbane,' 'wolfsbane,' and 'fleabane' based on what creatures they thought they repelled—most of these were wishful thinking, but some actually worked chemically!

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