Bay Leaf
/ˈbeɪ liːf/noun
The aromatic leaf of the bay laurel tree, used as a culinary seasoning and traditionally in wreaths and ritual practices.
Did you know?In ancient Greece, laurel leaves from the bay tree crowned Apollo’s priestesses at Delphi, whose prophetic utterances were associated with divine inspiration.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leubʰ-
“To strip or peel; the proposed ancient root behind the Germanic word for leaf.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*laubą
“Leaf or foliage.”
Old English
Old English
lēaf
“Leaf; a flat plant part.”
Latin
Latin
bāca
“Berry or fruit; the source of the bay-tree name through Romance languages.”
Old French
Old French
baie
“Bay tree or its fruit.”
Modern English
English
bay leaf
“The fragrant leaf of the bay laurel, used in cooking and symbolic traditions.”