A berry or fruit used in traditional folk medicine to reduce fever or treat related ailments; any of several plants bearing such fruit.
Compound of 'fever' + 'berry,' from Old English 'fefor' + berry. Specific plant identifications vary by region and historical period.
Without a microscope or thermometer, people had to trust bitter tastes and folk tradition—so when a berry worked even a little bit, it got a catchy name that made it sound miraculous.
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