Bryony
/ˈbraɪ.ə.ni/noun
A climbing plant of the gourd family with white flowers and poisonous berries.
Did you know?The name comes from Greek and originally referred to a plant believed in antiquity to have potent medicinal and magical properties, especially in the folklore-rich world of herbal lore.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
βρύων / βρύον
“Moss or a plant that swells and grows luxuriantly”
Late Classical Greek
Greek
βρυωνία
“A kind of climbing plant, especially bryony”
Late Latin
Latin
brionia
“Bryony, the plant”
Middle English
English
brionie
“Bryony, a medicinal or folk-herbal plant”
Modern English
English
bryony
“A climbing plant with tuberous roots and often poisonous berries”