Burdock Root
/ˈbɝː.dɑːk ruːt/noun
The edible or medicinal root of the burdock plant, especially Arctium lappa.
Did you know?Burdock’s hooked seed heads are widely regarded as one inspiration for hook-and-loop fasteners, while its root has long appeared in European and East Asian herbal traditions.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic period
Germanic
*burzōn
“A rough, prickly projection or burr; the source proposed for the first element.”
Old English
Old English
bur
“A burr or rough prickly seed case.”
Old English
Old English
docce
“The broad-leaved dock plant; the source of the second element.”
Middle English
English
bur-dokke
“A dock-like plant bearing burrs.”
16th Century
English
burdock
“The bur-producing plant now known botanically as Arctium.”
Modern English
English
burdock root
“The root of the burdock plant, used as food and in traditional herbal preparations.”