Elderberry
/ˈɛl.dərˌbɛr.i/noun
The small dark berry of the elder tree, often used in syrups, jams, and traditional remedies.
Did you know?In European folk tradition, elder trees were often believed to house protective spirits, and cutting one down could be treated as a taboo act rather than simple gardening.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*ailithrō
“elder tree”
Old English
OE
ellærn
“elder tree”
Middle English
ME
elder
“elder tree”
16th Century
English
elder berry
“the berry of the elder tree”
Modern English
English
elderberry
“the berry of the elder tree”